Grammar basics
Prepositions of direction
A preposition of direction shows movement: where someone or something is going, like to the store or through the door.
Place or direction?
A preposition of place shows where something is. A preposition of direction shows where something goes.
| Place (no movement) | Direction (movement) |
|---|---|
| The cat is in the box. | The cat jumps into the box. |
| I'm at the office. | I walk to the office. |
Common prepositions of direction
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| to | Go to the store. |
| into | Walk into the room. |
| out of | Get out of the car. |
| through | Walk through the door. |
| across | Swim across the river. |
| up / down | Go up the stairs. |
| toward | Run toward the bus. |
Arrive in, arrive at
Don't say arrive to. Use in for cities and countries, and at for buildings: I arrived in Bangkok, I arrived at the airport.
To
Shows the place where you are going.
I walk to the office every day.
Into
Moving from outside to inside something.
She walked into the meeting room.
Out of
Moving from inside to outside something.
I took my laptop out of my bag.
Through
Moving in one side and out the other side.
The train goes through a long tunnel.
Across
From one side to the other side.
Be careful when you walk across the street.
Toward
In the direction of something. British English often says towards.
A big dog ran toward me.