Prepositions of place

In the first three examples here, the verbs (sleep, lie, stop) show no movement so we use a preposition of place (usually in/on/at).

I slept in a bed.
I lay on my bed.
I entered the room and stopped at the bed.

Example of verbs which need a preposition of place are be, stay, wait, meet, rest.

Prepositions of movement

In the next example, you move from one place (e.g. the kitchen) to another (the door), so we use a preposition of movement (often 'to').

I walked to the door.

Examples of verbs which need a preposition of movement are go, travel, drive, run, climb.

Be careful with get and arrive. The meaning can be the same, but get is used with to (movement), and arrive is usually used with in or at (place).

We got to the party at 9pm.
We arrived at the party at 9pm.

Practice

Look at the sentences below. Type to if you think they show movement from one place to another, or in if not.

  1. I slept my bed.
  2. I went bed.
  3. I waited the hospital.
  4. I drove the hospital.
  5. I swam the island.
  6. I swam the swimming pool.
  7. I went jogging  the rain.
  8. I walked my sisters' house.
  9. I flew Tokyo.
  10. I lived Tokyo.