Prepositions of place

Question

Hello! Please help with some prepositions. Can NEXT TO and NEAR be used as synonyms? If no, how are they differentiated? Why is it said IN the armchair or IN the street (Can't we say ON)? Is it correct to say ON MY RIGHT (LEFT)? And is it the same as ON the right OF the girl?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Anonymous Can NEXT TO and NEAR be used as synonyms?

Not really.

Bob lives in the apartment next to mine. (There is no other apartment between my apartment and Bob's apartment.)

Bob lives in an apartment near mine. (Maybe it takes only 5 to 10 minutes to walk to Bob's apartment from my apartment.)

AnonymousWhy is it said IN the armchair or IN the street (Can't we say ON)?

Yes. It just takes practice to know when native speakers use these two prepositions. On is used for things that are on top of a flat surface. In is used to mean inside something - even if the "something" is not a container.
The cat is sleeping in the armchair (on the cushion between the two arms and back).
The cat is sleeping on the bed. (On top of the covers.)
Bob is in bed. (He is under the covers.)
The boys are playing football in the street. (the street forms a ball field where they play.).

AnonymousIs it correct to say ON MY RIGHT (LEFT)?

Yes.
Bob is standing on my right. (Next to my right side.)

AnonymousAnd is it the same as ON the right OF the girl?

I prefer "to the right/left of"
Where is Bob?
He is standing to the left of the post.
He is standing next to the post, on the left.

Prepositions of place

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