Prepositions of direction and movement

Seeing the lake, my father got ... the car quickly.

• down

• out of

• towards

Answer explanation

We use get in and get out for cars, taxies, vans...

I ran ... the house as fast as I can.

• onto

• over

• into

Answer explanation

When we are moving from outside into a 3-dimensional space we use into.

The elevator didn't work and we had to went ... the stairs.

• into

• along

• down

Answer explanation

With the preposition down and a verb of movement we describe a movement in that direction.

We went ... a red door.

• through

• onto

• above

Answer explanation

When we want to describe a movement from one side to the other side of something (a tunnel, a gate...) we use through.

The dog was sitting on the table, but suddenly it jumped ... .

• into

• off

• over

Answer explanation

On and off are the opposites of each other. At first the dog was on the table and then it jumped off.

We took a ferry boat to get ... the river.

• across

• above

• through

Answer explanation

When we describe a movement from one side to the other side of something that has sides or limits (e.g. a road, a river) we use across.

The dog tried to jump ... the fence.

Answer explanation

When we describe a movement from one side to the other, especially when we have to go up and down to do it we use over.

He saw a dog running ... him and ran away.

Answer explanation

When we describe movements in the direction of something or someone we use towards.

They were walking ... the beach at sunset.

Answer explanation

With the preposition along we describe linear movement (e.g. on a road, a beach).

The cat climbed ... the roof.

Answer explanation

When we describe a direction or movement to a position on a surface we use onto.