Prepositions of Direction

The complete guide to describing movement, pathways, and orientation in English

A preposition of direction shows movement from one place to another or indicates the path something/someone takes. These prepositions answer questions like "Where to?" and "Which way?"

Why Prepositions of Direction Matter

Accurate use of directional prepositions is essential for giving instructions, describing processes, writing lab reports, and creating clear technical documentation. Misusing these can lead to dangerous misunderstandings in contexts like driving directions or emergency procedures.

Quick Examples:
  • She walked to the store.
  • The plane is flying toward the mountains.
  • Put the book into the bag.
  • They ran across the field.
  • We drove through the tunnel.
Key Characteristics:
  • Show movement from origin to destination
  • Often involve verbs of motion (go, walk, run, fly, etc.)
  • Can indicate pathways or trajectories
  • Essential for clear instructions and navigation
  • Frequently tested in standardized exams

Core Prepositions of Direction

1. TO

Indicates movement toward a destination:

Examples:
  • We're going to Paris next week.
  • She threw the ball to her teammate.
  • Walk to the end of the hallway.
  • This train goes to Boston.
Note:

Not used with "home" (Say "go home" not "go to home")

2. TOWARD(S)

Indicates movement in a general direction (not necessarily arrival):

Examples:
  • The ship is sailing toward the island.
  • He gestured towards the window.
  • We're making progress toward our goal.
Variation:

"Toward" (American English) vs. "Towards" (British English)

3. INTO

Indicates movement entering something:

Examples:
  • She jumped into the pool.
  • Put the ingredients into the bowl.
  • The car crashed into a tree.
  • We went into the building.
Compare:

"In" (position) vs. "Into" (movement): She's in the room (position) vs. She walked into the room (movement)

4. ONTO

Indicates movement to a surface:

Examples:
  • The cat jumped onto the table.
  • Load the boxes onto the truck.
  • He stepped onto the stage.
Compare:

"On" (position) vs. "Onto" (movement): The book is on the table (position) vs. Put the book onto the table (movement)

5. ACROSS

Indicates movement from one side to another:

Examples:
  • We swam across the river.
  • Draw a line across the page.
  • They traveled across the country.
  • The bridge goes across the valley.

6. THROUGH

Indicates movement within a three-dimensional space:

Examples:
  • We walked through the forest.
  • The ball went through the window.
  • She browsed through the magazine.
  • The road goes through the mountains.
Compare:

"Across" (surface) vs. "Through" (enclosed space): Walk across the field (surface) vs. Walk through the tunnel (enclosed)

7. ALONG

Indicates movement following a line or path:

Examples:
  • We strolled along the beach.
  • The shops are along Main Street.
  • Drive along this road for two miles.

8. UP/DOWN

Indicate vertical movement:

Examples:
  • She ran up the stairs.
  • The balloon floated up into the sky.
  • We walked down the hill.
  • Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Extended Meanings:
  • up = northward, toward city center
  • down = southward, away from city center

9. OVER

Indicates movement above something, often crossing it:

Examples:
  • The plane flew over the city.
  • Jump over the puddle.
  • She threw a blanket over the chair.

10. AROUND

Indicates circular movement or bypassing:

Examples:
  • We walked around the lake.
  • The earth moves around the sun.
  • Go around the construction site.

11. PAST

Indicates movement beyond something:

Examples:
  • Walk past the bank and turn left.
  • She drove past my house.
  • The runner sprinted past the finish line.

12. FROM

Indicates origin or starting point (often paired with "to"):

Examples:
  • We flew from New York to London.
  • The train goes from Chicago to Seattle.
  • He took the book from the shelf.

13. OFF

Indicates movement away from a surface or separation:

Examples:
  • Take your feet off the table.
  • The cat jumped off the roof.
  • We got off the bus at Main Street.

14. OUT OF

Indicates movement from inside to outside:

Examples:
  • She ran out of the building.
  • Take the bread out of the oven.
  • We're moving out of the city.
Compare:

"Out" (adverb) vs. "Out of" (preposition): Go out (no object) vs. Go out of the room (with object)

Detailed Usage Rules

1. TO vs. TOWARD(S)

Use "to" when:

Emphasizing arrival at destination: "We drove to the beach."

Use "toward" when:

Emphasizing direction without completion: "We walked toward the light."

2. INTO vs. IN TO

"Into" (preposition):

She walked into the room.

"In to" (adverb + to):

She came in to see the exhibition.

3. ONTO vs. ON TO

"Onto" (preposition):

Step onto the platform.

"On to" (adverb + to):

Let's move on to the next topic.

4. ACROSS vs. THROUGH

"Across" (surface movement):

Swim across the pool.

"Through" (3D space movement):

Walk through the doorway.

5. UP/DOWN Extended Uses

Geographical:
  • Drive up to Canada from the US
  • Go down to Florida from New York
Urban:
  • Go up to the city center
  • Go down to the suburbs

6. Directional Prepositions with No Movement

Some directional prepositions can describe orientation without movement:

  • The window looks toward the mountains.
  • The path leads to the river.
  • The door opens into the garden.

Advanced Usage: Nuances and Subtleties

1. "To" vs. "Into" with Abstract Concepts

  • Translate this into Spanish (transformation)
  • She grew into a beautiful woman (development)
  • We're in trouble vs. We're getting into trouble (entering a state)

2. "Through" for Processes

  • We're going through difficult times.
  • She read through the contract carefully.

3. "Over" for Examination

  • Let's go over the plans again.
  • He looked over my shoulder.

4. "Around" for Avoidance

  • We need to work around this problem.
  • There's no way around the regulations.

5. "Up/Down" in Phrasal Verbs

  • Turn up the volume (increase)
  • Break down the information (analyze)
  • Give up smoking (stop)

Prepositions of Direction in Academic Writing

1. Describing Processes

  • The solution was transferred into the beaker.
  • Data moves from input to output.

2. Describing Experiments

  • The particles moved toward the positive electrode.
  • We passed the solution through a filter.

3. Describing Geographical Features

  • The river flows from the mountains to the sea.
  • Migration routes pass through several countries.

4. Common Academic Collocations

  • Transition from X to Y
  • Move toward a solution
  • Progress through stages
  • Input into the system

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect: "Go to home"

Correct:

Go home (no preposition)

2. Incorrect: "Arrive to the station"

Correct:

Arrive at the station

3. Incorrect: "Step on the platform" (when meaning movement)

Correct:

Step onto the platform

4. Incorrect: "Walk in the street" (when meaning crossing)

Correct:

Walk across the street

5. Incorrect: "Throw the ball in the basket"

Correct:

Throw the ball into the basket

Standardized Test Focus (IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)

1. Error Identification Questions

Identify the error:

"The hikers continued (A) their journey (B) across (C) the dense forest (D) despite the rain."

Answer: (C) - should be "through" (3D space)

2. Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the correct preposition:

"Please transfer the data _____ the new spreadsheet."

  • A) at
  • B) onto
  • C) into
  • D) toward

Answer: C) "into" (entering a document)

3. Writing Section Tips

  • Use precise directional prepositions in Task 1 (process diagrams)
  • Maintain consistency in movement descriptions
  • Vary directional expressions for higher scores

4. Speaking Test Tips

  • Use natural directional expressions in Part 1 (hometown/commute)
  • Demonstrate range in Part 2 (describing journeys/processes)
  • Practice common collocations ("from X to Y," "through various stages")

Practice Activities

1. Fill-in-the-Blank

Complete with correct prepositions:

  1. The train goes _____ Paris _____ Lyon.
  2. She poured the liquid _____ the beaker.
  3. Walk _____ the bridge and turn left _____ the traffic light.
Answers:
  1. from, to
  2. into
  3. across, at

2. Error Correction

Correct these sentences:

  1. Throw the paper in the recycling bin.
  2. We arrived to the airport at midnight.
  3. The path leads across the forest.
Answers:
  1. Throw the paper into the recycling bin.
  2. We arrived at the airport at midnight.
  3. The path leads through the forest.

3. Academic Writing Practice

Rewrite this procedure with appropriate directional prepositions:

"First, take the sample (from/at) the container. Then move it (on/onto) the slide. Carefully lower the cover slip (above/over) the sample. Finally, place the slide (in/into) the microscope."

Answer:

"First, take the sample from the container. Then move it onto the slide. Carefully lower the cover slip over the sample. Finally, place the slide into the microscope."

Comprehensive Reference Table

Preposition Usage Example Common Mistakes
to Destination Go to school ✖ to home
into Entering Walk into the room ✖ in the room (when meaning movement)
onto Surface contact Step onto the platform ✖ on the platform (when meaning movement)
across Surface movement Swim across the pool ✖ across the forest
through 3D space movement Walk through the door ✖ through the street
from...to Origin-destination From London to Paris ✖ from London at Paris

Final Checklist for Mastery

  • ✓ Mastered TO/TOWARD distinctions
  • ✓ Understand INTO/IN TO difference
  • ✓ Know ACROSS/THROUGH usage
  • ✓ Can use directional prepositions correctly
  • ✓ Recognize common errors
  • ✓ Apply knowledge to test questions
  • ✓ Use appropriately in writing/speaking
Pro Tip:

Visualize the movement - if something is entering, use "into"; if moving to a surface, use "onto"; if crossing a surface, use "across"; if passing within a space, use "through".