Prepositions of Direction: Definition, Examples and Worksheet

What Is Preposition of Direction?

Prepositions of direction are used to specify where to put an object or where a user desires to go. It typically indicates how a person or a thing is moving to a precise object or point.

In simpler terms, this preposition signifies the position of a noun (a place, thing or person) concerning an additional noun. The commonly used prepositions of direction are to, off, up, under, and from.

These are the basic prepositions of direction, which explain what it is and what the common directional prepositions.

Examples of Preposition of Direction

Now that you know these preposition shows movement towards a precise position, let’s find prepositions of direction examples to learn how you can use them within sentences. 

• To: He went to the shopping store.
• Off: She fell off the stepladder yesterday.
• Under: The cat hid under that bed.
• Up: The dog climbed up the stair cases.
• From: The bus is coming from Manchester.

List of Common Prepositions of Direction with Examples

The directional prepositions are vital to enhance accuracy and clarity while framing sentences, especially when indicating paths, destinations, and movements. You can check out the prepositions of direction list to learn about frequently used prepositions and their uses within sentences.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Prepositions of Direction

Common mistakes in using direction prepositions often arise because of confusion in identifying the correct use of prepositions. Below you will find the common errors while using directional prepositions and ways to avoid such errors.

1. Misuse of Preposition - The most repetitive and common mistake is misusing a directional preposition in sentences, which usually involves including the wrong preposition for indicating movement.

2. Underusing or Overusing Prepositions - Another error when using prepositions of direction is using them in excessive amounts with inappropriate placement.

3. Omitting Crucial Prepositions - Sometimes, you may omit crucial prepositions of direction when they are needed in a sentence. It can make the information look unclear.

4. Placement with Phrasal Verbs – Phrasal verbs in a sentence have precise meanings, so it is crucial to place the preposition accurately. Incorrect placement of these prepositions creates grammatically incorrect sentence structure, and it can change the actual meaning of the sentence.

Prepositions of Direction Worksheet

You have understood all the key details, from the prepositions of direction meaning to its examples and common mistakes, along with tips to avoid them. So, now let’s test your knowledge by solving the following prepositions of direction exercises.

Worksheet 1

Complete the following exercise by filling in the right preposition of direction.

(across, up, through, along, off, over, into, away from, in, against)

1. The beautiful bridge stretches _____the largest river.

2. The cat jumped _____the swimming pool.

3. The airplane flew _____the town.

4. The novel fell _____the old shelf.

5. The children climbed _____the stairs.

6. The bike stopped somewhere _____the highway.

7. He drove the bus _____the tunnel.

8. The juice swirled _____that glass.

9. She ran _____the fire.

10. He pushed the gate ____the wall.

Answer Key

1. The beautiful bridge stretches across the largest river.

2. The cat jumped into the swimming pool.

3. The airplane flew over the town.

4. The novel fell off the old shelf.

5. The children climbed up the stairs.

6. The bike stopped somewhere along the highway.

7. He drove the bus through the tunnel.

8. The juice swirled in that glass.

9. She ran away from the fire.

10. He pushed the gate against the wall.

Worksheet 2

Read the following sentences and underline the correct preposition of directions.

1. The hiker went up the dangerous mountains.

2. They are moving toward a positive solution.

3. The cat crawled under the bed.

4. He walked out of the school.

5. The rabbit jumped onto the tree.

6. She walked around the river.

7. I was standing under the oak tree.

8. She came and sat beside me.

9. She drove the car over the City Centre bridge.

10. The pigeon flew through the window.

Answer Key

1. The hiker went up the dangerous mountains.

2. They are moving toward a positive solution.

3. The cat crawled under the bed.

4. He walked out of the school.

5. The rabbit jumped onto the tree.

6. She walked around the river.

7. I was standing under the oak tree.

8. She came and sat beside me.

9. She drove the car over the City Centre bridge.

10. The pigeon flew through the window.

Conclusion

When used correctly, these prepositions of direction can contribute to consistency by ensuring readers understand the defined actions and envision the link between various locations. Further, it helps to enhance clarity by showing the movement of how something moved to a different place. Although the blog explained all the required information, if you have any queries related to this topic, then you can connect with our experts at Gradding.com. From nouns to pronouns and prepositions to adjectives, we can help you improve your grammar and also guide you with english coaching. Connect Now!

FAQs

1. Difference Between Prepositions of Direction and Movement.

Ans. Preposition of direction shows a precise destination or goal of movement, whereas preposition of movement defines the manner or action of moving from one place to another. Basically, direction prepositions focus on the question “where to?”, such as “she went to the shop” but prepositions of movement determine how an object moves, such as “kids ran toward the park”.

2. Prepositions of Direction Vs Prepositions of Place.

Ans. Prepositions of direction and place both specify relations of location; however, the ways to indicate this relation are different. Preposition of direction defines a path from one spot to another, for instance, “they walked along the river”, but place prepositions define a still location, for example, “the chocolate is in the box”.

3. What’s the Difference Between “In” And “Into”?

Ans. The key point of differentiation between “in” and “into” is determined through their usage. “In’ shows a still position, but “into” shows movement of something from an outside point to an inside point. Such as she is “in” the hall, and she walked “into” the hall.

4. Can Prepositions of Direction Be Used with All Verbs?

Ans. No, the use of prepositions of direction with all verbs is incorrect. However, they are frequently used with motion verbs to show direction. The preposition of direction usually indicates the movement of a pronoun or noun with another noun.

5. Are Prepositions of Direction Only Used in Physical Movement?

Ans. No, the preposition of direction is not solely used to show physical movement. Although they are typically used to define motion, they can be used to show action, direction or movement in metaphorical or abstract contexts.