The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

7.11. Motion
Unit seven. Adverbs, adverbials and prepositions

Sections 187-189

Many prepositions of place indicate different aspects of motion:

• motion towards: into, onto, to, towards, etc.

• motion away from: away from, out of, etc.

• passage and direction: across, along, down, over, past, through, up, etc.

• circular motion: about, around.

Task ***

Replace the transitive verbs in the following sentences by ’simple’ verbs followed by a preposition indicating motion.

Example: The host preceded his guests while showing them around.

→ The host went/walked in front of his guests while showing them around.

1. Several people I did not know entered the room.

2. Lady Snodgrass slowly descended the stairs.

3. The plane circled the church spire several times.

4. Hundreds of troops were approaching the garrison town.

5. Aid workers wanted to leave the area as fast as they could.

6. The lorry passed the local supermarket.

7. Two elderly tourists were climbing the hill.

8. Small groups of infantrymen had already penetrated enemy lines.

9. On their way back the hikers followed the river.

10. It took me less than a minute to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.

11. People were allowed to board the high-speed train at 8.45.

12. The crippled man was unable to negotiate the stile leading to the next field.