Prepositions-Prepositions of Direction
The most common prepositions used when expressing movement toward something are -To, On (to), In (to). To, into, and onto relate to the prepositions of location at, in, and on.
1. The basic preposition of a direction is “to.”
To: indicates direction toward a goal (an action or place).
* When the goal is something physical, such as a place, “to” means movement to the direction of the place. Example: Vivian walked to the bank.
* When the goal is not a place, an action, “to” marks a verb; it is attached as an infinitive and expresses purpose. Example: Vivian walked to the bank to get some money.
2. The other two prepositions of direction are compounds formed by adding “to” to the corresponding prepositions of location.
The preposition of location determines the meaning of the preposition of direction.
* When we add ON + TO we get onto: this shows movement toward a surface.
Example: He fell onto the floor.
* When we add IN + TO we get into: this shows movement toward the interior of something.
Example: He fell into the swimming pool.
(”To” is part of the directional preposition meaning toward.)
To make it clearer how these pairs are different, the compound preposition shows the completion of an action, while the simple preposition indicates the position of the subject as a result of that action.
Completion of an Action Position of Subject
The glass fell on(to) the floor. The glass is on the floor.
The dog jumped in(to) the river. The dog is in the river.
3.”To” can also be used with several kinds of verbs.
The basic structure is: verb + to + infinitive
Verbs in this group show a willingness, desire, intention, or obligation.* willingness: be willing, consent, refuse
example: I refuse to clean the bathroom anymore.
* desire: desire, want, wish, like, ask, request, prefer
example: I’d like to ask her out on a date.
* intention: intend, plan, prepare
example : I plan to go to Canada for the summer.
* obligation: be obligated, have, need
example: They have to buy a new car.
4. In many other situations “to” is used as an common preposition.
* verbs of communication: listen to, speak to (but not tell), appeal to, relate to
* verbs of movement: go to, move to, walk to, run to, jog to, drive to, ride to, swim to, fly to, travel to, transfer to, travel to
With the exception of “transfer”, all the above verbs can use “toward” as well as “to”. But, the difference is that “to” indicates movement toward a certain destination, while “toward” suggests movement in a general direction, without necessarily arriving at a destination.
Example:
Drive toward Taipei, and then turn west.
(Drive in the direction of Taipei; then turn west before arriving there.)
Drive to Taipei.
(You actually want to arrive in Taipei)
Uses of “onto”
1. “Onto” can generally be replaced by “on” with verbs of motion.
Example:
The book fell on(to) the floor.
Peter climbed on(to) the back of the horse.
2. Some verbs of motion express the idea that the subject causes itself or some physical object to be situated in a certain place
Some of these verbs take only “on”. Others take both on and onto.
Karen hung the decoration on the Christmas tree. (not onto the tree)
The air plane landed on the runway. (not onto the runway)
The waiter placed the plate on the table. (not onto the table)
Wayne spilled his milk on the rug. (not onto the rug)
She moved the table on(to) the sundeck.
The bad boy threw his bowl on(to) the floor.
3. There are a some verb-preposition combinations have the meaning “of continuing or resuming an action” when used in the imperative mood.
carry on (’resume what you were doing’)
hang on (to the rope)! (’continue to grasp tightly’)
drive on (’resume or continue driving’)
lead on (’resume or continue leading us’)
dream on (’continue dreaming’; a funny way of saying ‘that is an unattainable goal’)
rock on (’continue playing rock music’)
Uses of “into”
1. With verbs of motion, “into” and “in” are interchangeable except when the preposition is the last word in a sentence, or it is used directly before an adverb of time, manner, or frequency.
In this case only in (or inside) can be used.
The patient went into the dentist’s office.
The patient went in. (not into)
My brother moved into the their new house yesterday. (’to take up residence in a new home’)
My brother moved in yesterday.
2. Verbs expressing stationary position take only “on” or “in”.
If a verb allows the object of the preposition to be omitted, the construction may have an idiomatic meaning.
In(to) has two special uses with move.
3. When “move in” is followed by a purpose clause, it has the sense of “approach”.
The tiger moved in for the kill.
The soldiers moved in to capture the building.
In these sentences “in” is part of the verb, so “into” cannot be used; We cannot say: “The tiger moved into for the kill.”
May 12th, 2008 at 14:48
Preposition Handout-1
Complete the following sentences using the following prepositions: of, out, in, at, with
1. When she did her summer cleaning she threw a lot of old clothes_____.
2. Please don’t get angry _____ me. It’s not my fault.
3. The students didn’t agree _____ anything the teacher said.
4. Can you take care _____ my dog while I’m away on holidays?
5. I think walking _____ the rain is relaxing.
6. She thinks she is very beautiful; she is always looking _____ the mirror.
7. They can’t go on the picnic because _____ the heavy rain.
8. The economy in Taiwan has been very bad; many stores have gone _____ of business.
9. I don’t think she is a good mother; she is always yelling _____ her children.
10. People should not be allowed to drive a car and talk on a cell phone _____ the same time.
11. Can you please hold on? I’ll be with you _____ a minute.
12. She is the most beautiful _____ the three.
13. You must be careful with expensive items when you are on holidays, or someone could have run away _____ them.
14. He took the drivers license test many times, finally _____ the end he passed
15. Walking down stairs _____ the dark is very dangerous.
16. I am fed up _____ my job; I’m going to quit tomorrow.
17. When you are crossing the street you must look _____ for cars.
18. Once you have finished your employment application, please hand it _____ to the manager.
19. He is very tall, no wonder he is so good _____ basketball
20. The fireman put _____ the fire in 3 hours.
May 12th, 2008 at 14:48
Preposition Handout #2
1. Complete the following sentences using the following prepositions: by, for, of, on, in.
2. You should be ashamed _____ yourself.
3. What number do you get when you divide 21 ____ 7?
4. Sogo has a big sale on right now, 50% off; I want to take advantage ___ this special offer.
5. Congratulations ____ your twenty first birthday.
6. Her name is Josephine, but you can call her Joe ____ short.
7. The manager of our company is away ____ business this week.
8. We’ve had such a busy day. At least ten people phoned in the last hour. Oh ____ the way, there’s a message here for you.
9. I am Taiwanese ____ birth, but I have a Canadian nationality.
10. You can change your job, move your house, but marriage is ____ life.
11. Hamlet is a play ____ William Shakespeare.
12. I had taken the TOEFL test many times, finally ____ the end I passed.
13. Have you seen the newspaper today? There’s a big picture ____ you on the front page.
14. Judy is studying very hard. She plans ____ getting a good degree.
15. Because of a lack ____ interest the concert was cancelled.
16. I don’t trust the post office, so I delivered the parcel ____ hand.
17. I am really hungry; can we get something to eat ____ the way home?
18. There is still no known cure ____ cancer.
19. Please sit down, the doctor will see you ____ a moment.
20. Even tough I practice a lot, I still seem to lose a lot ____ the time.
21. Did he give you any reason ____ the way he behaved?