Prepositions of Movement helps you communicate about movement relative to places and boundaries. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can describe direction, path and destination with movement prepositions.
- Recognise and build the form: to/into/out of/across/through/along/past/towards + noun.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Prepositions of Movement for movement relative to places and boundaries. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
We walked to the station.
Use 'to' for movement toward a destination.
The dog ran into the house.
'Into' expresses movement from outside to inside.
She climbed out of the pool.
'Out of' expresses movement from inside to outside.
to/into/out of/across/through/along/past/towards + nounKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'to' for movement toward a destination.
- 'Into' expresses movement from outside to inside.
- 'Out of' expresses movement from inside to outside.
- 'Across' describes movement from one side to the other.
- 'Through' describes movement within an enclosed space.
Common mistakes
Not:We walked at the station.
Use:We walked to the station.
Use 'to' for movement toward a destination.
Not:The dog ran in the house.
Use:The dog ran into the house.
'Into' expresses movement from outside to inside.
Not:She climbed outside the pool.
Use:She climbed out of the pool.
'Out of' expresses movement from inside to outside.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
They swam ____ the river.
across
'Across' describes movement from one side to the other.
The train went ____ a long tunnel.
through
'Through' describes movement within an enclosed space.
We cycled ____ the coast.
along
'Along' describes movement following a line or route.