Prepositions

A) Prepositions related to movement and position

To/towards

The preposition to indicates movement with the aim of a specific destination, which can be a place or an event, e.g:

I’m traveling to France tomorrow.

I need to go to the Post Office.

Can you tell me the way to the station?

Are you going to the party?

I’ve never been to a football match.

What time did you go to work?

Note that up to is often used to express movement to a person, e.g:

He came up to me and asked me what the time was.

The preposition to is sometimes used to indicate a specific position, especially if a person or object is facing something, e.g:

There’s a door to your left.

He stood with his back to the window.

The preposition towards indicates movement in a particular direction, e.g:

She was carrying a suitcase and walking towards him.

He kicked the ball towards the goal.

Anna pointed towards the window.

Everyone sitting at the table turned towards me.

Note the contrast in the following two examples:

I’m going to Oxford for a meeting.

I think we’re heading towards Oxford now, we must have gone wrong.

In the first example, to introduces a specific destination. In the second example with towards, the direction of movement is a more important part of the meaning than the idea of a particular destination.

Note that occasionally, towards is also used to indicate position, but this is a position in relation to a particular direction from the point of view of the speaker, e.g:

She was sitting towards the back of the room.

Tom stood with his back towards the door.

Through and into

The preposition through refers to movement within a space which can be thought of as three-dimensional, e.g:

They couldn’t get the new sofa through the door.

We drove through some spectacular countryside.

The canal flows through the city centre.

You won’t be able to see it unless you look through the binoculars.

Through usually suggests movement across an entire space, from one side of something to another, e.g:

He cut through the wire.

The preposition into refers to movement from the outside to the inside of a three dimensional space, e.g:

We got into the back of the car.

She reached into her bag and found the keys.

With certain verbs into can be used to express the idea of movement in the direction of something, often resulting in actually hitting it, as in the second example below, e.g:

He looked straight into her eyes.

She swerved and crashed into the fence

Across, over and along

The prepositions across and over are used to talk about movement from one side of a place to another. They usually refer to movement in relation to places which can be thought of as two-dimensional, such as surfaces (e.g: a lawn) or lines (e.g: a river), for example:

I’ll jump over the wall and open the gate.

The aircraft flew low over the lake.

How are we going to get across the stream?

It’s the first time I’ve flown across the Atlantic.

Over also functions as a preposition expressing position. It often has a similar meaning to the preposition above, e.g:

There was a mirror above/over the sink.

One of its core uses however is to express position in relation to a two-dimensional surface, e.g:

A white tablecloth was spread over the table.

Or to show when something is positioned on the opposite side of a ‘line’, e.g: road, bridge, etc.

The hotel is over the bridge.

Across is sometimes used to express position in relation to something which stretches from one side of a place to another, e.g:

There was a barrier across the road.

Across, like over, is also used to show when something is positioned on the opposite side of a place in relation to the speaker, e.g:

The bank is across the street.

The preposition along is used to show movement following a line, e.g:

We walked along the river.

I followed Mr Jackson along the corridor.

Well-wishers began placing flowers along the railings.

It is also sometimes used to show a specific position in relation to a line, e.g:

Somewhere along the path there’s a signpost.

Or to show when a group of things are positioned in a line next to something, e.g:

There were plenty of restaurants along the riverfront.

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In and on as prepositions of movement

The core function of the preposition in is as an indicator of the position of something in relation to the three-dimensional space that surrounds it, e.g:

They were having a picnic in the park.

I’ve left my bag in the office.

The money is in the top drawer of my desk.

However, in can also be used to express movement towards the inside of a container, place or area:

Can you put the milk in the fridge?

The farmer fired a few shots in the air.

This use is triggered by verbs which express actions rather than states. Compare the following two examples:

I’ll keep the letter in my briefcase.

I’ll put the letter in my briefcase.

In the second example, in is functioning as a preposition of movement, and has the same meaning as the preposition into, as described in Through and into.

The core function of the preposition on is as an indicator of position in relation to a two dimensional surface, e.g:

The letter is on my desk.

There was a beautiful painting on the wall.

However on can also be used to show movement in the direction of a surface, e.g:

We could hear the rain falling on the roof.

I dropped my bags on the floor.

As with the preposition in, this use is triggered by verbs which express actions rather than states. Compare the following two examples:

The vase was lying on the kitchen floor.

The vase fell on the kitchen floor.

In the second example, on is functioning as a preposition of movement, and has the same meaning as the preposition onto, which is usually used to show movement towards a two dimensional surface, e.g:

Let’s get back onto the path.

She stepped onto the platform.


B) Prepositions of time and space: in/on/at

Why do we say The bank is on Grimshaw Lane. and She lives at 132 Gainsborough Avenue, but not *She lives in 132 Gainsborough Avenue or *The bank is at Grimshaw Lane?

Many learners and teachers sometimes view the usage and meaning of prepositions as a secret that can’t be unlocked. However, if we examine the syntactic environments of such key prepositions systematically, patterns of usage and core meaning concepts emerge which can aid explanation and learning.

The prepositions at, in and on are often used in English to talk about places (positions) and times. Sometimes the choice of one over another in a particular phrase or sentence seems arbitrary. However if we analyse patterns of occurrence we can identify key concepts in meaning and usage which consistently apply and can be used as a platform for learning.

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Prepositions of time

The preposition AT is used in the following descriptions of time:

With clock times:

• My last train leaves at 10:30.
• We left at midnight.
• The meeting starts at two thirty.

With specific times of day, or mealtimes:

• He doesn’t like driving at night.
• I’ll go shopping at lunchtime.
• I like to read the children a story at bedtime.

With festivals:

• Are you going home at Christmas/Easter?

In certain fixed expressions which refer to specific points in time:

• Are you leaving at the weekend?**
• She’s working at the moment.
• He’s unavailable at present.
• I finish the course at the end of April.
• We arrived at the same time.

**Note that in American English, on the weekend is the correct form.

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The preposition IN is used in the following descriptions of time:

With months, years, seasons, and longer periods of time:

• I was born in 1965.
• We’re going to visit them in May.
• The pool is closed in winter.
• He was famous in the 1980’s.
• The play is set in the Middle Ages.
• They’ve done work for me in the past.

With periods of time during the day:

• He’s leaving in the morning.
• She usually has a sleep in the afternoon(s).
• I tried to work in the evening.

To describe the amount of time needed to do something:

• They managed to finish the job in two weeks.
• You can travel there and back in a day.
• To indicate when something will happen in the future:
• She’ll be ready in a few minutes.
• He’s gone away but he’ll be back in a couple of days.

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The preposition ON is used in the following descriptions of time:

With days of the week, and parts of days of the week:

• I’ll see you on Friday.
• She usually works on Mondays.
• We’re going to the theatre on Wednesday evening.

Note that in spoken English, on is often omitted in this context, e.g.: I’ll see you Friday.

With dates:

• The interview is on 29th April.
• He was born on February 14th 1995.

With special days:

• She was born on Valentine’s day.
• We move house on Christmas Eve.
• I have an exam on my birthday.

If we examine these different aspects of usage for the three prepositions, a general pattern emerges. At is generally used in reference to specific times on the clock or points of time in the day. In generally refers to longer periods of time, several hours or more. On is used with dates and named days of the week.

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Prepositions of place

The preposition AT is used in the following descriptions of place/position:

With specific places/points in space:

• She kept the horse at a nearby farm.
• I had a cup of coffee at Helen’s (house/flat).
• Angie’s still at home.
• I’ll meet you at reception.
• There’s a man at the door.
• I saw her standing at the bus stop.
• Turn right at the traffic lights.
• The index is at the back of the book.
• Write your name at the top of each page.

With public places and shops:

• Jane’s at the dentist/hairdresser.
• I studied German at college/school/university.
• Shall I meet you at the station?
• We bought some bread at the supermarket.

With addresses:

• They live at 70, Duncombe Place.

With events:

• I met her at last year’s conference. She wasn’t at Simon’s party.

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The preposition ON is used in the following descriptions of place/position:

With surfaces, or things that can be thought of as surfaces:

• The letter is on my desk.
• There was a beautiful painting on the wall.
• The toy department is on the first floor.
• Write the number down on a piece of paper.
• You’ve got a dirty mark on your jumper.
• He had a large spot on his nose.
• She placed her hand on my shoulder.

With roads/streets, or other things that can be thought of as a line, e.g.: rivers:

• The bank is on the corner of King’s Street.
• Koblenz is on the Rhine.
• Bournemouth is on the south coast.
• It’s the second turning on the left.

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The preposition IN is used in the following descriptions of place/position:

With geographical regions:

• Driving in France is very straightforward.
• Orgiva is a very small village in the mountains.

With cities, towns and larger areas:

• Do you like living in Nottingham?
• They were having a picnic in the park.
• She works somewhere in the toy department.

With buildings/rooms and places that can be thought of as surrounding a person or object on all sides:

• Can you take a seat in the waiting room please?
• I’ve left my bag in the office.
• There’s a wedding in the church this afternoon.
• Lots of people were swimming in the lake

With containers:

• There’s fresh milk in the fridge.
• I think I’ve got a tissue in my pocket.
• The money is in the top drawer of my desk.

With liquids and other substances, to show what they contain:

• Do you take milk in your coffee?
• I can taste garlic in this sauce.
• There’s a lot of fat in cheese and butter.

A general pattern again emerges if we consider these different aspects of usage. We can think of at as one-dimensional, referring to a specific place or position in space. On is two dimensional, referring to the position of something in relation to a surface. In is by contrast three-dimensional, referring to the position of something in relation to the things that surround it. Thinking of the prepositions in these terms helps us explain certain facts. For instance, in is generally used for larger places and at for smaller, more specific places, so we say:

We arrived in Inverness two hours ago.

But:

We arrived at the campsite two hours ago.

However, if we think of a city or larger place as a specific point in space, we can use at, e.g.:

The train stops at Birmingham and Bristol.

Or if we think of a smaller place as three dimensional, we can use in, e.g.:

We’ve lived in this little village for many years.

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Prepositions at/in/on – extended meanings

A systematic analysis of the occurrence of the prepositions at, in and on in their core usage as indicators of time and place, helps us establish some key meaning concepts which will aid us in identifying and explaining their extended meanings:

• at - is a mechanism for denoting the specific, it usually refers to fixed points in time (e.g.: clock times) and specific points in space.
• on – is a mechanism which usually describes something in relation to a second, often linear dimension, hence it relates to the calendar (days and dates) and surfaces or lines.
• in – is a mechanism for describing something in relation to the things that surround it in time or space, hence it relates to periods of time and three dimensional spaces or containers.

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Extended meaning of AT

• At is used for showing specific temperatures, prices and speeds, etc.

Tickets are now on sale at £15 each.

He denied driving at 110 miles per hour.

• And more generally to talk about the level or rate of something, e.g.:

Interest rates have stayed at this level for several months.

The loan repayments are going up at an alarming rate.

• At is used to show when someone is a particular age:, e.g.:

He began composing at the age of 5.

She chose not to retire at 65.

• At is used to show that an activity is directed specifically towards someone or something:

He’s always shouting at the children.

Jamie threw the ball at the wall.

Why are you staring at her like that?

• At is used to show the specific cause of a feeling or reaction:

Audiences still laugh at her jokes.

We were rather surprised at the news.

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Extended meanings of ON

• On is used to show movement in the direction of a surface:

We could hear the rain falling on the roof.

I dropped my bags on the floor.

• On is used to show when the surface of something accidentally hits or touches a part of the body:

I cut my finger on a sharp knife.

She banged her head on the cupboard door.

• On is used to show that a part of someone’s body is supporting their weight:

She was balancing on one leg.

He was on his hands and knees under the table.

• On is used to show that something is included in a list:

He’s not on the list of suspects.

How many items are on the agenda?

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Extended meanings of in

• In is used to show movement towards the inside of a container, place or area:

She put the letter back in her briefcase..

The farmer fired a few shots in the air.

• In is used to show when something is part of something else:

I’ve found one or two spelling mistakes in your essay.

Who’s the little girl in the photograph?

There are several valuable paintings in the collection.

• In is used to show that someone is wearing something:

Do you know that girl in the black dress?

A man in a brown suit was walking towards her.

• In is used to show how things are arranged, expressed or written:

We gathered round in a circle.

Their names are given in alphabetical order.

Complete the form in block capitals.

She spoke to me in Spanish.

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Here's more guiding information on prepositions:

Prepositions – Time

Prep.	Usage	Example
on	days of the week	on Monday
in	months / seasons time of day year after a certain period of time (when?)	in August / in winter in the morning in 2006 in an hour
at	for night for weekend a certain point of time (when?)	at night at the weekend at half past nine
since	from a certain point of time (past till now)	since 1980
for	over a certain period of time (past till now)	for 2 years
ago	a certain time in the past	2 years ago
before	earlier than a certain point of time	before 2004
to	telling the time	ten to six (5:50)
past	telling the time	ten past six (6:10)
to / till / until	marking the beginning and end of a period of time	from Monday to/till Friday
till / until	in the sense of how long something is going to last	He is on holiday until Friday.
by	in the sense of at the latest up to a certain time	I will be back by 6 o’clock. By 11 o'clock, I had read five pages.

Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction)

Prep.	Usage	Example
in	room, building, street, town, country book, paper etc. car, taxi picture, world	in the kitchen, in London in the book in the car, in a taxi in the picture, in the world
at	meaning next to, by an object for table for events place where you are to do something typical (watch a film, study, work)	at the door, at the station at the table at a concert, at the party at the cinema, at school, at work
on	attached for a place with a river being on a surface for a certain side (left, right) for a floor in a house for public transport for television, radio	the picture on the wall London lies on the Thames. on the table on the left on the first floor on the bus, on a plane on TV, on the radio
by, next to, beside	left or right of somebody or something	Jane is standing by / next to / beside the car.
under	on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something else	the bag is under the table
below	lower than something else but above ground	the fish are below the surface
over	covered by something else meaning more than getting to the other side (also across) overcoming an obstacle	put a jacket over your shirt over 16 years of age walk over the bridge climb over the wall
above	higher than something else, but not directly over it	a path above the lake
across	getting to the other side (also over) getting to the other side	walk across the bridge swim across the lake
through	something with limits on top, bottom and the sides	drive through the tunnel
to	movement to person or building movement to a place or country for bed	go to the cinema go to London / Ireland go to bed
into	enter a room / a building	go into the kitchen / the house
towards	movement in the direction of something (but not directly to it)	go 5 steps towards the house
onto	movement to the top of something	jump onto the table
from	in the sense of where from	a flower from the garden

Other important Prepositions

Prep.	Usage	Example
from	who gave it	a present from Jane
of	who/what does it belong to what does it show	a page of the book the picture of a palace
by	who made it	a book by Mark Twain
on	walking or riding on horseback entering a public transport vehicle	on foot, on horseback get on the bus
in	entering a car / Taxi	get in the car
off	leaving a public transport vehicle	get off the train
out of	leaving a car / Taxi	get out of the taxi
by	rise or fall of something travelling (other than walking or horseriding)	prices have risen by 10 percent by car, by bus
at	for age	she learned Russian at 45
about	for topics, meaning what about	we were talking about you