Basics. Prepositions of Position: Next To, Between, and Under: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓What these prepositions tell us
Next to, between, and under each describe where something is in relation to something else. That's it: they answer the question where? by giving a physical position. But each one paints a different picture, and mixing them up (or building them incorrectly) causes confusion fast.
Next to means "at the side of," with the two things close together. Between means "in the middle of two things" (or sometimes more). Under means "lower than and covered or hidden by something above." These are not interchangeable, and each has its own grammar pattern:
- next to + noun → The pharmacy is next to the bank.
- between + noun + and + noun → The pharmacy is between the bank and the post office.
- under + noun → The cat is under the table.
Notice that between almost always needs and to connect the two reference points. This is where many learners slip up.
Worked examples
✅ My keys are under the newspaper on the kitchen counter. ❌ My keys are below the newspaper on the kitchen counter.
Both under and below can mean "lower than," but when one object physically covers or hides another (the newspaper is lying on top of the keys) under is the natural choice. Below suggests vertical distance without direct contact (a valley below the cliff). For everyday objects resting on top of each other, reach for under.
✅ She sat between Marco and Elena at dinner. ❌ She sat between Marco with Elena at dinner.
The connector must be and. No other word works here: not with, not or, not to. This rule holds whether you're talking about people, places, or abstract things (between hope and fear).
✅ The lamp is next to my bed. ❌ The lamp is next of my bed.
Next to is a fixed two-word preposition. There is no form next of in English. You can substitute beside (one word, same meaning), but next to always keeps its to.
Edge cases worth knowing
Between can refer to more than two things when each item is named individually: The treaty was signed between France, Germany, and Italy. However, if you mean "surrounded by a group" in a general sense, among is usually better: She felt comfortable among her colleagues. At B1–B2 level, a safe rule of thumb: use between when you can list the specific items, among when the group is vague or large.
Under sometimes overlaps with underneath and beneath. For physical position, under and underneath are almost identical; underneath simply adds a little emphasis on being hidden or covered. Beneath can sound more formal or literary. In everyday speech and writing, under is the safest default.
Next to can be replaced by beside with no change in meaning, but besides (with an -s) means "in addition to" (a completely different word). Mixing these two up is a classic spelling-based error that changes your sentence entirely:
✅ He stood beside the door. (= next to the door) ❌ He stood besides the door. (This would mean "in addition to the door," which makes no sense.)
The mistake that comes up most
B1–B2 learners frequently drop the and from between constructions, especially when translating from languages that use a single word or a different connector. They write things like between Monday to Friday or between the sofa the wall. The fix is mechanical: every time you write between, look for and. If it's missing, add it.
A second common error is using next alone without to: The shop is next the station. This is incomplete. Next on its own is an adjective or adverb meaning "the one after this" (next week). To express position, you need the full phrase next to.
Keep these small structural habits: between … and, next to (two words), under (for contact or covering). The prepositions will then fall into place naturally.
Correct answers
Question 1
When loud strangers visit our house, Sir Fluffington gets scared and hides completely under the sofa where no one can see him.
"Under" means below or covered by something, which is a perfect hiding spot for a cat!
When I try to watch a movie, he demands attention by sitting exactly between me and the television screen.
"Between" is used for the space separating two things (you and the TV).
At night, he is much sweeter and sleeps peacefully right next to my pillow.
"Next to" means right beside an object.
Question 2
Help Detective Barnaby organize his messy crime scene report by dragging the correct prepositions into the blanks.
The half-eaten donut was hidden between the sofa cushions and the TV remote. The main suspect's muddy footprints were found right next to the refrigerator. Finally, the missing chocolate sprinkles were discovered completely hidden under the rug.
The half-eaten donut was hidden between the sofa cushions and the TV remote.
Use "between" when something is in the middle of two distinct objects (the cushions and the remote).
The main suspect's muddy footprints were found right next to the refrigerator.
Use "next to" when something is beside another object.
Finally, the missing chocolate sprinkles were discovered completely hidden under the rug.
Use "under" when something is covered by or below something else.
Question 3
The correct answers are The cat is hiding under the sofa. and The cat is sitting between the sofa and the lamp.
Here is why the other options give away the cat's disguise:
- You need two items (or a plural noun) to use between. A cat cannot sleep "between the rug," but it could sleep "between the rug and the wall."
- The preposition is next to, not just "next". So, it should be "next to the television."
Question 4
Complete the pet owner's frantic text messages by dragging the correct words to show where the animals are hiding.
I found the cat sleeping happily next to the warm radiator. The dog is hiding under the kitchen table because he is terrified of the vacuum cleaner. The hamster is somehow stuck between the couch and the living room wall!
I found the cat sleeping happily next to the warm radiator.
"Next to" means beside. The cat is sleeping at the side of the radiator to stay warm.
The dog is hiding under the kitchen table because he is terrified of the vacuum cleaner.
"Under" means below or beneath. The table is covering the dog like a roof!
The hamster is somehow stuck between the couch and the living room wall!
"Between" is used for the space separating two things (the couch and the wall).
Question 5
Help the frantic student find their phone by choosing the right word.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
My phone fell, and now it is stuck ___ my bed and the wall!
The correct answer is between.
We use "between" when something is in the middle of two distinct objects or places (in this case, the bed and the wall). Notice the word "and" connecting the two objects!
Question 6
I finally found my phone! It was completely hidden under a huge pile of laundry.
We use "under" when something is covered by or directly below something else.
Please be careful with my desk. My full coffee mug is balancing dangerously next to my expensive laptop.
We use "next to" when something is beside or right beside another object.
Also, I found my lucky pen! It was wedged perfectly between the keyboard and the monitor.
We use "between" when an object is in the middle of two distinct things (notice the word "and" connecting the two objects).
Question 7
Help Sarah give her friend accurate directions to the new cafe.
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
The Daily Grind coffee shop is right ___ the library, so we can go study immediately after we get our lattes.
The correct answer is next to.
We use "next to" to mean beside or adjacent to something. We cannot use "between" here because there is only one reference point (the library), not two!
Question 8
The correct answers are The old pizza box is under the bed. and The dirty shoes are next to the door.
Let's look at the rules!
- Under means directly below something (under the bed). We don't say "under to".
- Next to means right beside something (next to the door).
- Between needs at least two things to be in the middle of (e.g., between the desk and the bed). You can't be "between" just one desk!
Question 9
Complete the pet owner's text message to their roommate.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
I finally found Professor Whiskers! He is hiding ___ the sofa because the vacuum cleaner scared him.
The correct answer is under.
We use "under" to describe something that is directly below or covered by something else. It is the perfect preposition for a cat hiding beneath a piece of furniture!
Question 10
The correct answers are Put your coffee cup next to your laptop. and Place your phone between the notebook and the pen.
Keep your grammar as organized as your desk!
- Use between when an item is in the middle of two distinct things (the notebook and the pen). You can't put snacks "between" just one keyboard!
- The correct phrase is next to, meaning beside. "Next of" is incorrect.