Adverbials of direction

Level: beginner

We use prepositions to talk about direction:

acrossalongback back todowninto
ontoout of pastthroughtotowards

She ran out of the house.
Walk past the bank and keep going to the end of the street.

We use adverbs and adverb phrases for both location and direction:

everywhereabroadindoorsupstairshome
anywhereawayoutdoorsdownstairsback
somewherehereinsideupin
nowherethereoutsidedownout

I would love to see Paris. I've never been there. (place)
We're going to Paris. We fly there tomorrow. (direction)

The bedroom is upstairs. (place)
He ran upstairs to the bedroom. (direction)

Adverbials of direction 1

Level: intermediate

We often have adverbials of direction or location at the end of a clause:

This is the room we have our meals in.
Be careful you don't let the cat out.
There were only a few people around.

Adverbials of direction 2
Adverbials of direction 3
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Submitted by Giang Phan on Fri, 17/07/2020 - 10:16

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Hi, Can you explain what is the difference between "turn right onto Beach Road" and "turn right into Beach Road". Thank you.
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Submitted by Peter M. on Sat, 18/07/2020 - 07:58

In reply to by Giang Phan

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Hello giangphan,

In both British and US English, the standard form is onto.

I have heard into used occasionally, I think, but it's much less common.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

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