Prepositions of Movement in English Grammar

Prepositions are an essential part of any language, and they play a vital role in conveying the intended meaning of a sentence. In English, prepositions of movement are a particular set of prepositions that indicate the direction or manner in which a person or object is moving. These prepositions are used to describe movement from one place to another, and they can be a bit tricky to master.

Contents

Common Prepositions of Movement

When it comes to describing movement, prepositions are essential. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common prepositions of movement.

Towards

The preposition “towards” is used to describe movement in the direction of something. For example, “We walked towards the beach.”

Through

The preposition “through” is used to describe movement from one side of something to the other. For example, “We walked through the park to get to the other side.”

Across

The preposition “across” is used to describe movement from one side of something to the other, but it implies that the distance is greater than “through.” For example, “We swam across the lake.”

Into

The preposition “into” is used to describe movement from outside of something to inside of it. For example, “We climbed into the car.”

Out of

The preposition “out of” is used to describe movement from inside of something to outside of it. For example, “We jumped out of the plane.”

List of Prepositions of Movement

Learn a useful list of prepositions of Movement in English with examples.

To: show movement in a specific direction

He will travel to New York this summer holiday.

from: used to show the place where someone or something starts

What time does the flight from Amsterdam arrive?

across: show movement from one side to the opposite side

The boys swam across the lake.

along: move or look towards the end

We went for a walk along the beach at twilight.

around/round: go along its edge in a circular direction

Her hair whipped around her face in the wind.

into: go from outside a space to inside a space

Don’t put new wine into old bottles.

out of: go from inside a space to outside a space

If you can’t stand the heat, you should get out of the kitchen.

off: away from

We get off at the next station.

onto: used to show movement into or on a particular place

I slipped as I stepped onto the platform.

over: pass above something

He jumped over the wall.

through: show movement from one side of an enclosed space to the other side

David walked slowly through the woods.

toward(s): in the direction of, or closer to someone or something

The cat is creeping silently towards the bird.

up: indicate movement from a lower to a higher position

She doesn’t like riding her bike up these hills.

down: indicate movement from a higher to a lower position

It’s easier to run down the hill than go up.

…

Usage of Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement are used to describe the direction or movement of a subject. In English, there are several prepositions of movement that can be used in different contexts. In this section, we will discuss the usage of prepositions of movement.

In Sentences

Prepositions of movement are used to describe the movement of a subject from one place to another. Some common prepositions of movement include “to”, “from”, “into”, “out of”, “up”, “down”, “across”, “through”, “over”, and “under”.

For example:

We walked to the park.
The cat jumped from the roof.
She went into the store.
He came out of the house.
The bird flew up into the sky.
The ball rolled down the hill.
We swam across the river.
The car drove through the tunnel.
The plane flew over the mountains.
The dog crawled under the fence.

In Questions

Prepositions of movement are also used in questions to ask about the direction or movement of a subject. Some common question words that are used with prepositions of movement include “where”, “to”, “from”, “into”, “out of”, “up”, “down”, “across”, “through”, “over”, and “under”.

For example:

Where did you come from?
Where are you going to?
Did you go into the store?
Did you come out of the house?
Did the bird fly up into the sky?
Did the ball roll down the hill?
Did you swim across the river?
Did the car drive through the tunnel?
Did the plane fly over the mountains?
Did the dog crawl under the fence?

In conclusion, prepositions of movement are an important part of English grammar. By understanding their usage in sentences and questions, we can communicate effectively and clearly.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Prepositions of Movement

When using prepositions of movement, there are some common errors that people tend to make. In this section, we will discuss these errors and provide tips to avoid them.

Common Errors

One common mistake is using “into” instead of “in” when referring to a location. For example, we might say “I walked into the store” instead of “I walked in the store.” Another mistake is using “on” instead of “onto” when referring to movement to the top of something. For example, we might say “I climbed on the roof” instead of “I climbed onto the roof.”

Another mistake is using “through” instead of “across” when referring to movement across a surface. For example, we might say “I walked through the field” instead of “I walked across the field.” Finally, some people use “to” instead of “toward” when referring to movement in a particular direction. For example, we might say “I walked to the park” instead of “I walked toward the park.”

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to pay close attention to the prepositions you are using. Take the time to think about the movement you are describing and choose the preposition that best fits. Additionally, it can be helpful to read examples of prepositions of movement in context to get a better sense of how they are used.

Another tip is to practice using prepositions of movement in your own writing or speech. This can help you become more comfortable with using them correctly. Finally, if you are unsure about which preposition to use in a particular situation, don’t be afraid to look it up or ask for help. It’s better to take the time to get it right than to make a mistake.