into, out of, across, through, along

These words go after a verb of movement (go, walk, run, drive, come) and say which way someone or something moves.

Into and out of

Into is movement to the inside. Out of is movement from the inside.

In and on say where something is. Into and onto say where it goes.

With put, jump, fall and throw, people often say in for into in everyday English: Put it in the fridge.

Across, through and along

Across goes from one side to the other of a flat place: a road, a river, a field.

Through goes in one side and out the other of something with sides or a top: a door, a tunnel, a forest.

Along follows a line: a street, a river, a beach.

Up, down, over, past, towards

Up and down go higher or lower. Over goes above something. Past goes next to something and on. Towards goes in the direction of something.

To and towards

To says where the movement ends. Towards only says the direction.

Common mistakes

• × He came in the room. → He came into the room.
• × I went out from the house. → I went out of the house.
• × We walked across the forest. → We walked through the forest.
• × She went to home. → She went home.