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Prepositions of Direction

This document discusses prepositions of direction such as to, toward, onto, and into. It explains that prepositions indicate the location of a noun in relation to another noun and often accompany verbs of motion. The preposition "to" can express movement toward a physical place or purpose with an infinitive verb. "Toward" also suggests movement but toward a general area rather than a specific destination. "Onto" expresses movement toward the outside of an object, while "into" indicates movement toward the inside of an object or space. Examples are provided to illustrate the different uses of each preposition.

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50 views

Prepositions of Direction

This document discusses prepositions of direction such as to, toward, onto, and into. It explains that prepositions indicate the location of a noun in relation to another noun and often accompany verbs of motion. The preposition "to" can express movement toward a physical place or purpose with an infinitive verb. "Toward" also suggests movement but toward a general area rather than a specific destination. "Onto" expresses movement toward the outside of an object, while "into" indicates movement toward the inside of an object or space. Examples are provided to illustrate the different uses of each preposition.

Uploaded by

Tejar Misbahuddin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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San José State University Writing Center

www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter
Written by Jen Jebens

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction indicate the location of a noun (a person, place, or thing) in relation to
another noun. Prepositions precede a noun or a pronoun and often accompany verbs of motion.
This handout covers the prepositions to, toward, on, and in when they are used to express
movement, direction, or purpose.

To
To can express movement in the direction of a physical place.

To can also express purpose when attached to a verb as an infinitive.


 I walked to the Writing Center from my car.
 Tim ran to school because he was late.
Toward
 They stayed after school to complete the assignment.
Toward, like to,tosuggests
 I exercise movement. However, toward indicates movement in the direction of a
stay in shape.
general area rather than a specific destination. Toward implies that a destination may not have
been reached.

Onto
 John traveled to Dallas. (John arrived at Dallas.)
Onto (on +traveled
 John to) is used to express
toward Dallas.movement
(John maytoward the outside
have passed Dallasoforanstopped
object.before he arrived.)

 The cat jumped onto the table.


 The leaf fell onto the sidewalk.

Prepositions of Direction, Fall 2009. Rev. Summer 2014. 1 of 2


Into
Into (in + to) indicates movement toward the inside of an object, space, or volume.

In many cases, on or in can be used without to. Adding to to the preposition implies action,
 Maryonjumped
whereas or in byinto the water.imply position.
themselves
 Paul got into the shower.

Activity
 Suzy is on the bed. (This sentence simply relates Suzy’s position.)
Complete
 Suzythe jumped
following exercises
onto the bed.by(This
filling in us
tells thenot
correct
only preposition.
that Suzy is on the bed, but also
relates the action she took to get there.)
1. I placed the glass on the table.
2. Jim went the library yesterday.
3. Jane jumped the swimming pool.
4. I ran class in order arrive on time.
5. We drove the mountains but stopped before we got there.
6. Maggie, our cat, jumped the table.
7. I study hard do well on tests.
8. He dropped the ice cubes the glass of water.

Answer Key for Activity

1. onto
2. to
3. into
4. to/to
5. toward
6. onto
7. to
8. into

References
“Prepositions of Direction.” The OWL at Purdue. Purdue University Writing Lab. 11 February

2009. Web.

Prepositions of Direction, Fall 2009. Rev. Summer 2014. 2 of 2

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