Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction are used to show movement from one place to the other. We usually use prepositions of direction when we answer the question beginning with "Where?".

Where are you going? - I'm going to the supermarket

There are several commonly used prepositions of direction:

to -- used to show movement in a specific direction.

I'll head off to work in a couple of minutes
Kimberly moved to Florida a year ago

Note that you can also used towards in the meaning "in the direction of".

Why are these policemen running towards Erick?

into -- used to show movement into something (enclosed space), while onto shows movement on top of something (surface).

The dog jumped into kennel, while the cat leaped onto the roof of the kennel

across -- used to show movement from one side to the other side of something.

You can't walk across the street wherever you want

over -- used to show an upward and forward direction across something.

The boys jumped over the fence and chased the cat

through -- used to show an movement within an enclosed space from one point to the other.

I don't like driving through the tunnels. I feel a bit anxious then

past -- used to indicate movement near something while you are on your way to another location.

I waved at Mary but she walked past me

Guided Practice#

Where are you going? - I'm going .................... the local bakery. They sell super delicious bagels there! It's right .................... the street.

My dog jumped .................... the couch next to me right when I opened the bag of jerky and put my hand .................... it.

The bike drove right .................... me and I just fell down from unexpectedness! But the person didn't stop or anything, he went .................... the park and disappeared.

Short Story using Prepositions of Direction#

-Excuse me, Sir, could you tell me how I can get to the nearest supermarket?

-Surely! You have to go through that small park over there. Then turn right and go past the cinema. Right on the corner you'll see a huge supermarket sign. Just go across the street and there will be the entrance.

-Thank you very much!

Independent Practice#

Choose the correct preposition.

Sarah's cat always jumps onto/to her bed whenever she enter the bedroom.
I usually go over/through the park on my way home.
Walk across/through the street at the traffic lights.
They walked into/through the room and stood frozen.
Your are highly motivated, when you are working past/towards your goals.
I need to go to/towards the library to get some books for my research.
This ferry can take you across/over the river.
The dog jumped through/over the fence to greet its owner.
Michael usually buys coffee in the morning but this time he was running late so he went to/past his favourite coffee place.
The lady carefully stepped from the train into/onto the platform.