Prepositions of movement
Prepositions of movement are words that show direction or motion from one place to another, such as to, into, through, across, along and towards. They usually follow a verb of motion (walk, run, drive, fly) and are placed before a noun or noun phrase to describe the path or destination of that movement.
Types of prepositions of movement
Direction towards a destination
Show the target or endpoint of movement.
e.g. walk to school, drive towards the city, head for the exit
Movement into or out of an enclosed space
Show entry into or exit from a contained area.
e.g. jump into the pool, walk out of the room, climb out of bed
Movement through or across an area
Show passing through, over or across a space.
e.g. walk through the tunnel, swim across the river, climb over the wall
Movement along a path
Show motion following the length of something.
e.g. cycle along the path, walk along the beach
Vertical or directional movement
Show upward, downward or general directional motion.
e.g. climb up the ladder, run down the hill, walk past the shop
Rules to remember
- A preposition of movement is normally followed by a noun, noun phrase or pronoun, never a verb in its base form.
- These prepositions almost always combine with a verb that expresses motion, such as go, walk, run, drive, fly, swim or climb.
- Choose the preposition based on the type of path: use 'to' for a destination, 'into/out of' for enclosed spaces, and 'through/across/along' for the route taken.
- 'To' shows destination while 'towards' shows direction without necessarily reaching the place; do not confuse the two.
- Some prepositions of movement (into, onto) are combinations of a preposition of place (in, on) with 'to', and this combination signals motion rather than static position.
Examples in sentences
| Example | How it works |
|---|---|
| She walked to the station to catch the early train. | 'to' shows the destination of the movement. |
| The children ran into the garden as soon as it stopped raining. | 'into' shows movement from outside to inside an enclosed space. |
| We drove through the tunnel and came out near the coast. | 'through' shows passing from one side of something to the other. |
| He climbed over the fence to get the ball back. | 'over' shows movement across the top of an obstacle. |
| They walked along the river until they reached the bridge. | 'along' shows movement following the length of a path. |
| The plane flew towards the storm before changing direction. | 'towards' shows direction of movement without arrival at the destination. |
| She jumped out of the car before it had fully stopped. | 'out of' shows exit from an enclosed space. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect: She walked to the room and sat down.
Correct: She walked into the room and sat down.
Incorrect: He went in the shop to buy some bread.
Correct: He went into the shop to buy some bread.
Incorrect: The cat jumped in the box, which was still on the floor.
Correct: The cat jumped into the box, which was still on the floor.
Why this matters for IELTS
Using a range of accurate prepositions of movement, rather than repeating basic words like 'to' and 'in', helps demonstrate wider vocabulary and precise sentence control, both of which are rewarded under Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing and Speaking. Describing a process, journey or map in Task 1 or a personal story in Speaking Part 2 gives natural opportunities to use words like across, through, along and towards correctly, showing examiners that you can express movement and direction with precision rather than relying on repeated, simple structures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'to' and 'towards' as prepositions of movement?
'To' shows that the subject reaches the destination, as in 'She walked to the shop.' 'Towards' shows direction of movement without confirming arrival, as in 'She walked towards the shop,' meaning she moved in that direction but may not have arrived.
Are 'in' and 'into' both prepositions of movement?
'Into' is a preposition of movement showing entry from outside to inside. 'In' is usually a preposition of place showing static position inside something, though in informal speech 'in' is sometimes used instead of 'into' for movement.
Can prepositions of movement be used without a motion verb?
No, they need a verb of motion such as walk, run, drive, fly or climb to make sense, because the preposition alone only shows direction; the verb supplies the actual movement being described.
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