Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What Are Prepositions of Movement?
  3. Common Prepositions of Movement
  4. How to Use Prepositions of Movement
  5. Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Movement
  6. Prepositions of Movement Exercises
  7. Answers
  8. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Prepositions of Movement in English! Prepositions of movement are words that describe how something or someone moves from one place to another. They are essential for expressing motion and direction, allowing us to describe actions like walking, running, flying, or driving.

This guide is tailored for ESL students aiming to master the use of prepositions of movement. We’ll explore the most common prepositions, explain their usage with clear examples, highlight common mistakes, and provide exercises to test your understanding. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident using prepositions of movement in your everyday English conversations and writing.

What Are Prepositions of Movement?

Prepositions of movement, also known as prepositions of direction, are words that indicate movement from one place to another. They are used with verbs of motion to show direction, destination, or movement.

For example:

  • She walked across the street.
  • They ran into the building.
  • The bird flew over the trees.

Common Prepositions of Movement

Let’s delve into the most frequently used prepositions of movement and learn how to use them correctly.

To

To indicates movement towards a specific destination.

  • We are going to the park.
  • She travels to work by bus.

From

From indicates the starting point of a movement.

  • He came from the library.
  • They moved from London to Manchester.

Across

Across means moving from one side to the other side of something.

  • She swam across the river.
  • The dog ran across the road.

Through

Through indicates movement from one side to the other within something.

  • We walked through the forest.
  • The train went through the tunnel.

Over

Over means moving above something or crossing something by going over it.

  • The plane flew over the mountains.
  • He jumped over the fence.

Under

Under indicates movement below something.

  • The cat crawled under the table.
  • They drove under the bridge.

Along

Along means moving in a line that follows the side of something.

  • We walked along the beach.
  • She cycled along the river.

Up

Up indicates movement from a lower to a higher place.

  • They climbed up the hill.
  • He walked up the stairs.

Down

Down indicates movement from a higher to a lower place.

  • She ran down the slope.
  • They skied down the mountain.

Into

Into indicates movement from the outside to the inside of something.

  • The children ran into the house.
  • He put the keys into his pocket.

Out of

Out of indicates movement from the inside to the outside of something.

  • She got out of the car.
  • The cat jumped out of the box.

Past

Past means moving in front of or beyond something.

  • We walked past the church.
  • He drove past the supermarket.

Around

Around indicates movement in a circular direction or to various places.

  • They walked around the park.
  • She travelled around Europe.

How to Use Prepositions of Movement

Using prepositions of movement correctly is vital for clear and accurate communication. Here are some guidelines with examples.

Using “To” and “From” to Indicate Direction

  • He is moving to a new city next month.
  • They returned from their holiday yesterday.

Using “Into” and “Out of” for Entering and Exiting

  • She stepped into the room quietly.
  • The bird flew out of the cage.

Using “Up” and “Down” for Vertical Movement

  • He looked up at the stars.
  • She slid down the slide.

Using “Across”, “Through”, “Over”, and “Under” for Different Movements

  • They paddled across the lake.
  • We drove through the city centre.
  • The bird soared over the rooftops.
  • She crawled under the fence.

Using “Along” for Movement Following a Line

  • They strolled along the canal.
  • He jogged along the path.

Using “Around” for Circular Movement or Various Places

  • They sailed around the island.
  • She wandered around the market.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Movement

Let’s examine some typical errors learners make with prepositions of movement and how to correct them.

1. Confusing “To” and “At” with Verbs of Movement

❌ He went at the shop.

✅ He went to the shop.

Tip: Use “to” with verbs of movement to indicate direction.

2. Using “In” Instead of “Into” for Movement

❌ She walked in the room.

✅ She walked into the room.

Tip: Use “into” to indicate movement from outside to inside.

3. Mixing Up “Across” and “Through”

❌ They walked through the bridge.

✅ They walked across the bridge.

Tip: Use “across” for moving on a surface from one side to another, and “through” for movement inside something.

4. Incorrect Use of “Over” and “Above”

❌ The plane flew above the ocean.

✅ The plane flew over the ocean.

Tip: Use “over” to indicate movement across a surface or area.

5. Using “Up” and “Down” Incorrectly

❌ They walked down the hill to reach the top.

✅ They walked up the hill to reach the top.

Tip: Use “up” for movement to a higher place, “down” for movement to a lower place.

Prepositions of Movement Exercises

Now it’s your turn to practise! Complete the following exercises to test your understanding.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Preposition

Select the correct preposition of movement to complete each sentence.

  1. She walked _______ the stairs quietly. (up/down)
  2. The dog jumped _______ the fence. (over/under)
  3. They drove _______ the tunnel. (through/across)
  4. He moved _______ London last year. (to/into)
  5. The children ran _______ the playground. (around/along)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of movement.

  1. They walked _______ the bridge to reach the other side.
  2. The cat climbed _______ the tree to catch a bird.
  3. She got _______ the bus at the next stop.
  4. He cycled _______ the road until he reached the park.
  5. The boat sailed _______ the river.

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

  1. They walked in the building without knocking.
  2. She ran to the stairs to see what happened.
  3. We drove across the city centre during rush hour.
  4. He jumped under the wall to escape.
  5. The bird flew into the clouds.

Exercise 4: Match the Prepositions

Match each sentence with the correct preposition of movement.

  1. The hiker climbed ___ the mountain.
  2. The mouse ran ___ the hole.
  3. They paddled ___ the lake.
  4. The train went ___ the bridge.
  5. She walked ___ the road, enjoying the view.
  1. along
  2. over
  3. into
  4. across
  5. up

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Use the given prepositions of movement to write sentences.

  1. Through
  2. Over
  3. Into
  4. Past
  5. Up

Answers

Exercise 1

  1. She walked up the stairs quietly.
  2. The dog jumped over the fence.
  3. They drove through the tunnel.
  4. He moved to London last year.
  5. The children ran around the playground.

Exercise 2

  1. They walked across the bridge to reach the other side.
  2. The cat climbed up the tree to catch a bird.
  3. She got off the bus at the next stop.
  4. He cycled along the road until he reached the park.
  5. The boat sailed down the river.

Exercise 3

  1. They walked into the building without knocking.
  2. She ran up the stairs to see what happened.
  3. We drove through the city centre during rush hour.
  4. He jumped over the wall to escape.
  5. The bird flew above the clouds.

Exercise 4

  1. The hiker climbed up the mountain.
  2. The mouse ran into the hole.
  3. They paddled across the lake.
  4. The train went over the bridge.
  5. She walked along the road, enjoying the view.

Exercise 5

Your sentences may vary. Here are some examples:

  1. We walked through the dark forest.
  2. The plane flew over the city.
  3. He poured the milk into the glass.
  4. They strolled past the old castle.
  5. She climbed up the ladder carefully.

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions of movement is essential for describing actions and directions in English. By understanding and practising their usage, you’ll enhance your ability to communicate effectively and vividly. Remember to pay attention to the context and choose the appropriate preposition to convey your intended meaning.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to share your own sentences using prepositions of movement, please leave a comment below. Happy learning!

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