Lesson

Up, over, through

Movement prepositions

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Up, over, through — movement and direction

This lesson explains how to use the prepositions up, over and through to describe movement, position, and paths. These prepositions often describe how someone or something moves relative to an object or space.

  • up: movement toward a higher point or along a vertical path.
  • over: movement above or across an obstacle or boundary.
  • through: movement inside an area from one side to the other.
  • These prepositions can also have figurative uses in business language (e.g. go over a report, run through the agenda, get through a backlog).

Table

Prepositions: up / over / through

Preposition Primary meaning Example
up Movement to a higher point or along a vertical path The technician climbed up the ladder to check the antenna.
over Movement above or across an obstacle or boundary The drone flew over the bridge to deliver the package.
through Movement inside an area from one side to the other; passing within The engineer walked through the tunnel to inspect the cables.
figurative uses Non-physical meanings in business contexts Let's go over the budget. / We'll run through the presentation. / She got through all the emails.

Tip

Key rule: choose by the path

Decide which preposition to use by imagining the path of movement:

  • If the movement goes to a higher point or along a vertical line → use up.
  • If it goes above or across an obstacle or boundary → use over.
  • If it goes inside and across an enclosed space or area → use through.

For figurative uses, think metaphorically: go over = review, run through = rehearse, get through = complete.

Example

Examples in context

The technician climbed up the ladder to check the antenna.

The drone flew over the bridge to deliver the package.

The consultant walked through the proposal slide by slide during the meeting.

We need to run the file transfer twice to ensure all records make it through.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch for these universal errors when using up, over, and through:

  • Confusing path with position — choose by how something moves, not just where it ends.
  • Using 'over' when the movement actually goes inside a space (use through).
  • Using 'up' for horizontal movement — 'up' implies vertical or higher level.
  • Mixing literal and figurative meanings without context (e.g. 'go over' vs 'go through').
  • Omitting necessary articles or objects after the preposition (e.g. 'walked through tunnel' → 'walked through the tunnel').

When in doubt, picture the movement path in your head and pick the preposition that matches it.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Focus on movement above or across an obstacle.

Quiz

Complete: The engineers walked _____ the tunnel to inspect the cables.

Hint: Think about movement inside an enclosed space from one side to the other.

Quiz

Which preposition completes the sentence correctly? The technician climbed _____ the ladder to reach the light fixture.

Hint: Think about vertical movement to a higher position.

Key Points

Vocabulary

up

preposition CEFR A2 //ʌp//

Indicates movement to a higher point or along a vertical line.

The manager climbed up the stairs to the meeting room.

Vocabulary

over

preposition CEFR A2 //ˈoʊvər//

Indicates movement above or across an obstacle or boundary.

The courier carried the package over the bridge despite the rain.

Vocabulary

through

preposition CEFR A2 //θruː//

Indicates movement inside an area from one side to the other; passing within.

The team walked through the factory to inspect the new line.

Expression

go over (a report)

phrasal verb CEFR B1 //ɡoʊ ˈoʊvər//

To review or examine details (figurative use of over).

Let's go over the financials before the call.

Expression

run through

phrasal verb CEFR B1 //rʌn θruː//

To rehearse or quickly practice something; also to examine step by step.

We will run through the presentation one last time.

Expression

get through

phrasal verb CEFR B1 //ɡet θruː//

To complete or survive a difficult task or period; to make it across an obstacle.

The team got through the backlog before the audit.