LoginAdverbs of Movement and Direction
Discover the rules for using adverbs of movement and direction, like 'toward', 'away', and 'along'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Adverbs of Movement and Direction?
Adverbs of movement and direction are used to modify verbs to show the direction in which someone or something is moving.
Adverbs of Movement and Direction vs. Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place are typically used to describe a state in a particular location, while adverbs of direction indicate the destination or direction of movement. However, some adverbs can function as both adverbs of place and adverbs of movement depending on the verb being used. Take a look at the examples:
Those kids are playing inside. → adverb of place
We will take the dog inside. → adverb of movement and direction
Adverbs of Movement and Direction: Placement
Adverbs of movement and direction are used after main verbs or after the direct object of a transitive verb. However, in both cases, they modify the verb.
Here are some examples:
We went outside.
In this example 'went' is a main verb and 'outside' is used after it to modify it.
She threw the ball upward.
The adverb describes the direction of the throwing, not the ball itself.
Warning
Remember, we do not use an adverb between the object and the main verb. If you encounter such a sentence structure, it is likely that you are dealing with a preposition, not an adverb.
Common Adverbs of Movement and Direction
There are a lot of adverbs of movement and direction in English, but here are some of the most common ones:
Adverbs with Suffixes -ward or -wards
-Wards or -ward is a suffix that forms adverbs showing direction. In American English, and sometimes in British English, '-ward' is used instead of '-wards' to form adverbs of direction. For example:
backward/forward
northward/southward/eastward/westward
homeward
inward/outward
onward
upward
Take a look at some examples:
I stretched upwards to grab a cup from the cupboard above the sink.
Adverbs with the Suffix -side
'Outside' and 'inside' express opposite meanings: 'outside' refers to a location that is not within a particular place, while 'inside' refers to a location within a place. When used with appropriate verbs that indicate movement, they can function as adverbs of movement. However, they can also act as adverbs of place. Here are some examples:
They stayed inside/outside. → adverb of place
I ran outside. → adverb of direction and movement
We will carry the trolley inside. → adverb of direction and movement
Adverbs with the Suffix -stairs
'Downstairs' is the opposite of 'upstairs'. Downstairs means toward the lower floor of a building, while upstairs means toward the upper floor of a building. Here are some examples:
Carry the bags downstairs.
I pushed the box upstairs.
Back
'Back' as an adverb of movement and direction typically indicates a return to a previous location or position. Here are some examples:
Those animals were sent back to where they lived before.
Tip!
Usually when 'back' is used as an adverb of movement or direction, it is followed by the prepositions in or to. For example:
They went back in.
After the hike, we walked back to the car.
Through
When used as an adverb of movement and direction, 'through' typically indicates movement into one side and out the other side of a place or opening. Here are some examples:
The crowd parted, and he walked through.
The train sped through.
Off
The adverb 'off' modifies verbs of movement to express a move away or to a distance from a place. For example:
When she heard it, she just drove off.
The cat ran off to chase the mouse.
Adverb Order
Adverbs can be placed in various positions within a sentence, but it's important to note that adverbs of movement typically come before adverbs of time. Adverbs can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence depending on the desired emphasis or effect. Check out the examples:
Driving off, she listened to her favorite songs.
We just took the hive outside last night at nine.
'Last night at nine' is an adverb of time, and as you can see, adverb of movement appears before it.
Adverbs vs. Prepositions of Movement and Direction
Adverbs of movement and direction and prepositions of movement and direction are both used to indicate the direction or destination of movement. However, there are some key differences between the two:
Adverbs of movement and direction modify verbs on their own, while prepositions of movement and direction are followed by a noun or pronoun.
Adverbs of movement and direction provide information about the general direction of movement, while prepositions of movement and direction provide information about the direction or destination of the movement relative to a place or target.
Compare the examples:
The cat moved forward slowly.
Here, 'forward' modifies the verb and describes the manner and direction of movement of the cat.
The cat moved toward the mouse.
Here, 'toward' shows direction of movement relative to 'the mouse' and indicates destination of the movement.
Review
Adverbs of movement and direction show where someone or something is headed or moves toward. These adverbs can be used:
after the main verb
after the direct object of a transitive verb
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly places the adverb of movement?
She threw upward the ball.
We outside went.
They carried downstairs the boxes.
He brought the groceries inside.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Complete each sentence using the correct adverb of direction and movement. (There are two extra options.)
After the lecture ended, I walked
to get some fresh air.
The balloon drifted
until it disappeared into the clouds.
She left her notebook on the second floor and went
to retrieve it.
As soon as the plane landed, the travelers rushed
to find their luggage.
After a long day at work, she headed
to relax on her couch.
Which of the following sentences correctly shows the order of an adverbs in a sentence?
We went to the concert last night outside.
They left the house at noon quickly.
I carried the basket upstairs yesterday.
She went yesterday upward.
Complete the table by choosing whether the sentence uses an adverb of place, adverb of direction and movement, or preposition of direction and movement.
The children are playing outside. | |
She ran upstairs to grab her phone. | |
They moved through the tunnel. | |
The cat is hiding inside. | |
They turned back when the trail got too steep. |
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