A2 English GrammarPrepositions: Location & Direction
Master prepositions for describing where things are and how they move. Learn the differences between similar prepositions like in/on/at and to/into/onto.
1Prepositions of Place
Use prepositions to describe where things are located. 'In' for enclosed spaces, 'on' for surfaces, 'at' for specific points. Other common ones: under, above, behind, in front of, next to, between.
Prepositions of Place
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside/enclosed | in the box, in the room |
| on | surface/touching | on the table, on the wall |
| at | specific point | at the door, at the corner |
| under | below/beneath | under the bed |
| above/over | higher than | above the fireplace |
| between | in the middle of two | between the chairs |
Examples
The cat is under the table.
The cat is under the table.
under = below
There's a picture above the sofa.
There's a picture above the sofa.
above = higher than
She's standing behind me.
She's standing behind me.
behind = at the back of
The bank is between the cafe and the pharmacy.
The bank is between the cafe and the pharmacy.
between = in the middle
2Prepositions of Direction
Direction prepositions show movement. 'To' for destination, 'into' for entering, 'onto' for moving to a surface, 'out of' for leaving, 'through' for passing inside, 'across' for crossing.
Direction Prepositions
| Preposition | Movement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to | toward destination | go to school |
| into | entering inside | walk into the room |
| onto | onto a surface | jump onto the bed |
| out of | leaving/exiting | get out of the car |
| through | passing inside | walk through the park |
| across | from one side to other | swim across the river |
Examples
She walked into the office.
She walked into the office.
into = entering
The cat jumped onto the table.
The cat jumped onto the table.
onto = movement to surface
We drove through the tunnel.
We drove through the tunnel.
through = passing inside
Can you swim across the lake?
Can you swim across the lake?
across = one side to other
3In vs Into, On vs Onto
'In' and 'on' show position (static). 'Into' and 'onto' show movement (dynamic). Use 'in/on' with 'be' (location) and 'into/onto' with movement verbs (go, put, jump).
Position vs Movement
| Position (static) | Movement (dynamic) |
|---|---|
| in the room | into the room |
| on the table | onto the table |
| She is in the car. | She got into the car. |
| The book is on the shelf. | Put the book onto the shelf. |
Examples
The keys are in my bag.
The keys are in my bag.
in = position
I put the keys into my bag.
I put the keys into my bag.
into = movement
The plate is on the table.
The plate is on the table.
on = position
Put the plate onto the table.
Put the plate onto the table.
onto = movement
4Along, Past, Toward, Around
These prepositions describe more specific movements: 'along' (following a line), 'past' (passing by), 'toward(s)' (in the direction of), 'around' (circling or surrounding).
Examples
We walked along the beach.
We walked along the beach.
along = following the length
She ran past the store.
She ran past the store.
past = passing by
He's walking toward the station.
He's walking toward the station.
toward = in direction of
The dog ran around the tree.
The dog ran around the tree.
around = circling