A movement verb tells us what someone does. The preposition shows the path: entering a place, reaching a surface, passing inside something or following a line.

The idea

Use into for entering and onto for reaching a surface. Through describes a path inside something; across goes from one side to another. Past takes you beyond a point, while along follows the length or line of something.

Examples

  • Mina walked into the workshop.
  • The cat jumped onto the bench.
  • We walked through the tunnel.
  • Omar ran across the bridge.
  • Go past the bakery and turn left.
  • Walk along the canal until you reach the gate.

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Watch out

Do not choose a preposition from the verb alone. Walk in the park can mean walking while already inside; walk into the park describes entering. In and on can also express direction with some verbs, so movement does not always require into or onto.

Try it yourself

  1. Mina moves from outside to inside. She walks ___ the workshop. (into / out of)

    Show answer or example answer

    into

    Into describes movement from outside to inside the workshop. Out of describes the opposite direction.

  2. They walk inside the tunnel from one end to the other. They walk ___ the tunnel. (through / onto)

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    through

    Through matches the path inside the tunnel from one end to the other. Onto would mean moving onto a surface.

  3. The path follows the canal. Walk ___ the canal. (along / across)

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    along

    Along follows the canal's line. Across would take the walker from one side of the canal to the other.

Use it today

Sketch a simple route with a workshop, bridge, bakery and canal. Give four directions using different movement prepositions. Check whether your listener should enter, cross, pass or follow each place.