Prepositions of place and movement

Position and movement

Most prepositions of place can say where something is or where it is going.

Position:        There was a barrier across the road.
Movement:   A dog ran across the road in front of us.

At usually expresses position, and to expresses movement.

Position:        Everyone was at the cafe.
Movement:   Everyone went to the cafe.

As a general rule, in and on express position, and into and onto express movement.

Position:       We were sitting in the cafe.
                     She stood on the balcony.

Movement:   We went into the cafe.
                     She walked onto the balcony.   


Exercise