English - Basic Location

Lesson 16 of 139

A learner practices English location phrases with everyday objects under, behind, and in front of furniture.

Goal: Say where things are with simple, useful place words.

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome back! Today we play a tiny game of “Where is it?” No treasure map needed—just a table, a door, and a few helpful phrases.

Level A1: In this lesson, you’ll practice saying where people and things are: under, behind, in front of, at, inside, and outside. You’ll also ask a simple choice question: “Is ___ inside or outside?” These phrases are small, but they help you find bags, keys, friends, pets, and maybe your missing coffee.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Say that something is under, behind, or in front of something else.
  • Use “___ is at ___” for simple places.
  • Ask and answer if someone or something is inside or outside.
  • Practice A1 location phrases in a short conversation.
Keys, a bag, and a phone are placed around a small room for English learning practice about basic location.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

___ is under ___.

say where something is using under

Meaning: “___ is under ___.” Use this to say one thing is below another thing.

When to use: Use it when something is lower than another object.

Tip: Do not say “under of.” Say “under the table.”

The phone is under the book.
The phone is under the book.
The cat is under the table.
The cat is under the table.

___ is behind ___.

say where something or someone is using behind

Meaning: “___ is behind ___.” Use this to say something or someone is at the back of something.

When to use: Use it when something is not in front, but at the back.

David is behind Anna.
David is behind Anna.
The bag is behind the chair.
The bag is behind the chair.

___ is in front of ___.

say where something or someone is using in front of

Meaning: “___ is in front of ___.” Use this to say something or someone is before another thing or person.

When to use: Use it when something is on the front side.

Tip: Use all three words: “in front of.”

Anna is in front of David.
Anna is in front of David.
The car is in front of the house.
The car is in front of the house.

___ is at ___.

say someone or something is at a place

Meaning: “___ is at ___.” Use this to say someone or something is at a place.

When to use: Use it for places and meeting points.

Tip: Use “is at” for one person or thing: “Anna is at school.”

Anna is at school.
Anna is at school.
The taxi is at the door.
The taxi is at the door.

Is ___ inside or outside?

Ask whether a person or thing is indoors or outdoors.

Meaning: “Is ___ inside or outside?” Ask if a person or thing is indoors or outdoors.

When to use: Use it when you want to check the place.

Is the cat inside or outside?
Is the cat inside or outside?
Is David inside or outside?
Is David inside or outside?

___ is inside.

Say that a person or thing is inside.

Meaning: “___ is inside.” Use this to say a person or thing is indoors.

When to use: Use it as a simple answer about location.

The cat is inside.
The cat is inside.
Anna is inside.
Anna is inside.

___ is outside.

Say that a person or thing is outside.

Meaning: “___ is outside.” Use this to say a person or thing is outdoors.

When to use: Use it as a simple answer about location.

The dog is outside.
The dog is outside.
David is outside.
David is outside.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are getting ready to leave the apartment.

Anna and David look for items near a door while using English phrases like inside, outside, and under the chair.

Who is outside?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

David, where is my bag?

Anna asks where her bag is.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Your bag is under the chair.

The bag is below the chair.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Great. Where are the keys?

Anna asks where the keys are.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

The keys are behind the cup.

The keys are at the back of the cup.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Is Max inside or outside?

Anna asks if Max is indoors or outdoors.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Max is outside. He is in front of the door.

Max is outdoors and before the door.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

The taxi is at the door.

The taxi is at the place near the door.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which sentence says the phone is below the book?

Which question asks if the dog is indoors or outdoors?

Which sentence uses “at” for a place?

Which sentence means the tree is at the back of the house?

Anna looks for her phone. David points below the table and says, “The phone is under the table.”

Anna looks for her phone. David points below the table and says, ___

Anna asks, “Is the dog inside or outside?” David sees the dog in the yard and says, “The dog is outside.”

Anna asks, “Is the dog inside or outside?” David sees the dog in the yard and says, ___

David sees Anna by the door. The door is behind Anna. He tells her, “You are in front of the door.”

David sees Anna by the door. The door is behind Anna. He tells her, ___

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is under ___.

Say where something is using under.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is behind ___.

Say where something or someone is using behind.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is in front of ___.

Say where something or someone is using in front of.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is at ___.

Say someone or something is at a place.

Say this phrase out loud:

Is ___ inside or outside?

Ask whether a person or thing is indoors or outdoors.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is inside.

Say that a person or thing is inside.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is outside.

Say that a person or thing is outside.