Maths · Size, Position & Time
Position words
On, under, next to, between — where things are.
What are position words?
Position words tell us where something is. They help us describe the place of things. We use them every day at home and school.
On and under
When something is on top, we say it is on. When something is below, we say it is under. A book can be on the table. A cat can be under the table.
Next to
When things are side by side, they are next to each other. Your friend sits next to you. A cup sits next to a plate.
Between
Between means in the middle of two things. You stand between two friends. A flower grows between two trees.
Using position words
Position words help us find things and follow directions. They make it easy to tell others where to look.
Worked examples
1. Where is the apple? It sits on the plate.
- Look at the apple and the plate.
- The apple is touching the top of the plate.
- We say the apple is on the plate.
2. Where is the ball? It is between two boxes.
- Look at the ball and count the boxes.
- One box is on the left, one on the right.
- The ball is in the middle, so it is between.
3. Where is the dog? It is under the chair.
- Look at the dog and the chair.
- The dog is below the chair, not on top.
- We say the dog is under the chair.
Try it yourself
The teddy is sitting on the bed. Where is the teddy?
Ready to test yourself?
Take a short topic test — every question maps to a syllabus point so you’ll see exactly which parts you’ve mastered.