to, into, through, across
The rule
These say where something is going, not where it is. to gives the destination — I go to work. into is entering — she came into the room. through is in one side and out the other — go through the tunnel. across is from one side to the other — walk across the square. With home, there and here you use no preposition at all: I went home.
to + destination · into = entering · through = in and out · across = side to side · go home (no preposition)
Examples
I go to work by bike.
She came into the room without knocking.
Go through the tunnel and turn left.
We walked across the square.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: I went to home early.
Right: I went home early.
home takes no preposition.
-
Wrong: She walked in the room and sat down.
Right: She walked into the room and sat down.
Entering takes into.
Practice questions
Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.
-
1Fill in the gap.
We are going _____ the station now.
- through
- to
- across
- into
Show answer
Answer: B We are going to the station now.
A destination takes to.
-
2Fill in the gap.
Please come _____ my office for a moment.
- into
- through
- across
- to
Show answer
Answer: A Please come into my office for a moment.
Entering takes into.
-
3Fill in the gap.
The road goes _____ the wood.
- to
- into
- across
- through
Show answer
Answer: D The road goes through the wood.
In one side and out the other takes through.
-
4Fill in the gap.
The pharmacy is just _____ the road.
- across
- to
- into
- through
Show answer
Answer: A The pharmacy is just across the road.
From one side to the other takes across.
-
5Fill in the gap.
I am going _____ now; it is late.
- at home
- home
- to home
- into home
Show answer
Answer: B I am going home now; it is late.
home takes no preposition.
-
6Choose the correct sentence.
- She drove to the airport.
- She drove at the airport.
- She drove to airport.
- She drove in the airport.
Show answer
Answer: A She drove to the airport.
A destination takes to.
-
7Choose the correct sentence.
- Walk into the bridge and turn right.
- Walk across the bridge and turn right.
- Walk through the bridge and turn right.
- Walk to the bridge across.
Show answer
Answer: B Walk across the bridge and turn right.
Over the top of something takes across.
-
8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.
Which sentence is wrong?
- We went there last summer.
- We went to Spain last summer.
- We went to there last summer.
- We went home last summer.
Show answer
Answer: C We went to there last summer.
there takes no preposition.
-
9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.
Which sentence is wrong?
- He was in the shop and asked for me.
- He came to the shop and asked for me.
- He came into the shop and asked for me.
- He came in the shop and asked for me.
Show answer
Answer: D He came in the shop and asked for me.
Entering takes into.
-
10Put the words in the right order.
Go through the gate and across the yard
Show answer
Answer: Go through the gate and across the yard.
through for in and out, across for side to side.
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