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.
Practice in interactive stories
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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
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'She walked ___ the room.' (entering)
Complete: 'The cat is hiding ___ the bed.'
Complete: 'We drove ___ the tunnel.'
Complete: 'The cat jumped ___ the table.' (movement to surface)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“Lisa walked into the store and looked around.”
“The cat meowed and jumped onto his lap.”
“I take a deep breath and walk through the front door.”
“The cat hid the young man's old clothes under a rock.”
“There was a small park across the street.”
Practice with A2 Stories
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