Direction to or from destination after movement

the restaurant in the restaurant

Jim has gone tothe hotel and now he's at the hotel

the bank the bank

At cannot replace in for words that represent very wide areas: e.g. in the sky, in the universe, in the world. Note that the use of at or in aftei the verb arrive depends on which preposition the noun is normally used with (arrive at a party, arrive in the country). Sometimes either preposition is possible depending on whether we regard the location as a point or an area [> 8.6]: arrive atBrighton or arrive inBrighton.

8.9.4 'On(to) a line or surface', 'off a line or surface'

On(to) (direction) and on (destination or location) can be used to indicate 'being supported by' a line or surface:

Direction on(to) destination after movement

/ put the pen on(to)the table and now it is onthe table

Onto is spelt as one word or two: on to. On (without to) can sometimes indicate direction, often with a change of level: / put the pen onthe table

However, onto is sometimes preferable to on with movement verbs

like climb lift jump [> 8.7] to avoid ambiguity: Mr Temple jumped ontothe stage (i.e. from somewhere else) Mr Temple jumped onthe stage (which could mean 'jumped up and down on it', or 'jumped once to test its strength')

On (indicating destination or location) can also contrast with to (indicating direction) with reference to levels:

He's gone tothe fourth floor and now he's onthe fourth floor Off (= 'not on', indicating separation from a line or surface) combines with movement verbs or position verbs:

/ took the plate offthe table and now it is offthe table

8.9.5 'ln(to) and in an area or volume'

Into always reflects movement and is never used for destination or position. In usually reflects position, but with some movement verbs like drop fall and put it can also reflect movement:

Direction in(to) destination after movement

/ have put the com in(to)my pocket and now it is inmy pocket

Time

However, with other movement verbs, such as run and walk, in does

not reflect movement from one place to another: We walked intothe park (= we were outside it and entered it) We walked inthe park (= we were already inside it and walked within the area)

Inside can replace in when we refer to e.g. rooms, buildings: / // meet you inside/inthe restaurant.

8.9.6 'Out of an area or volume'

Out of can reflect direction and destination: