Grammar

Back to: Giving directions

Prepositions of Place
at
  • Refers to a specific location in a general way.

Dave is at the station.

  • Refers to a street address, e-mail address or telephone number.

I live at 10 Downing Street. You can reach me at student@cegep.ca.
in
  • Refers to a closed, three-dimensional space.

Shall I put your purchases in a bag? The participants are in the meeting room.

  • Refers to a document.

Those statistics can be found in the report, which is in that file.

  • Refers to a city, province, country or continent.

Jenny lives in Kamloops, which is in British Columbia.
on
  • Refers to a two-dimensional surface or a concept.

The notepad is on the desk. You can find anything on the Internet.

  • Refers to a means of transport.

Tanya is on the bus home.

  • Refers to a street.

I live on Bank Street.
across on the other side of something.

I live across the road from a grocery store.
opposite facing someone or something.

Myriam is sitting opposite Steve at the table.
Prepositions of Movement
around The children are running around the statue.
toward Ellie is walking toward elevator to go up to the fourth floor.
away from Casey runs away from the fire.
into Many people are walking into the hotel lobby.
out of Can you take those photos out of the protective sleeve?
down The paramedic ran down four flights of stairs.
up to You need to take the escalator up to the second floor.
past Walk past the gym; the spa will be on your right.
through Please enter through the main entrance.
from… to Miranda is travelling from Winnipeg to Halifax.

Giving direction – Grammar