to the east of 在……以东（在另一地点的外部）
in the east of在……东部（在另一地点的里面)
on the east of表示与东边接壤和临近

Eg: Japan is to the east of China.
Japan is in the east of Asia.
The East China Sea lies on the east of Zhejiang Province.

east of相当于to the east of.
eg: The city lies about 88 kilometres east of Yantai.
East of the city is a small lake.

east:还可以用作副词，解释为：towards the east
Eg: Her house faces east.
Drive east until you come to the river.

west, south，north的用法同east.

off.在离……的
Eg: They live on the island off the coast of Fujian.
They were sailing two miles off shore.

巩固性练习：
1. Taiwan lies____ the southeast of China.
2. China lies ___ the west of the Pacific.
3. Taiwan lies ____ the southeast of the mainland.
4．London lies ____ the Thames.
5. There are many islands____ the southeastern coast of China.
6. Japan lies ______ the east of China.
7. East of the city _____ (be) a railway.
8. There is a chemical works ______ the west of the lake.

答案：1. in 2.on 3.to 4.on 5.off 6.to 7.is 8.to