1. There was a village beneath this hill.
2. There was a village under this hill.
3. There was a village below this hill.
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Which preposition is suitable in the sentence?
3. below
The other two prepositions imply that the village is buried under the hill.
In this context, all three prepositions - beneath, under, and below - can be used to convey the same meaning that there was a village situated in a lower position relative to the hill. The choice of preposition depends on personal preference and regional variations in language usage. However, there are slight nuances that can be considered:
1. "Beneath" typically suggests a sense of being directly and closely underneath something, implying a more physical closeness or proximity.
2. "Under" generally indicates a lower position relative to something, but it may also refer to a less immediate spatial relationship compared to "beneath."
3. "Below" generally conveys a sense of being at a lower level or position in relation to something else, without necessarily implying physical proximity.
Ultimately, all three prepositions are suitable and can convey the idea that there was a village located in a lower position relative to the hill. The choice may depend on the writer's style or the desired emphasis in the sentence.