Usage of prepositions-TO,INTO,UNTO,TOWARDS,FROM

 10th Class · English Grammar · Board Exam 2026

Usage of Prepositions

TO  ·  INTO  ·  UNTO  ·  TOWARDS  ·  FROM — Rules, Differences & 10 Practice MCQs

📘 Class 10✏️ English Grammar🗓️ Board Exam 2026

The prepositions TO, INTO, UNTO, TOWARDS and FROM all express some kind of direction or movement — but each one is used differently. Choosing the wrong one can completely change the meaning of a sentence. This article explains all five with clear rules, examples, and 10 Board-level MCQs with answers.

① TO

Primary Meaning: Shows movement toward a destination or end point that is reached or intended. Also used to show relationship, comparison, or the indirect object.

UseExample
Movement toward a place (destination reached)She went to school.  |  He walked to the market.
Giving / telling (indirect object)He gave the book to me.  |  She spoke to the teacher.
Time — up to a pointWe worked from morning to evening.
Comparison / ratioIndia won by 5 wickets to 3.

⚠️ Note: Use TO when the destination is clearly reached or intended. Do NOT use TO with words like "home, here, there, abroad" — He went home (not "to home").

② INTO

Primary Meaning: Shows movement from outside to inside something — entering an enclosed space. Also used for transformation or change.

UseExample
Movement from outside to insideShe walked into the room.  |  He jumped into the river.
Change / transformationThe tadpole turned into a frog.  |  Milk turns into curd.
Collision / running againstThe car ran into a tree.

⚠️ TO vs INTO: "He went to the room" = he arrived at the room. "He went into the room" = he entered inside the room. INTO always implies entering.

③ UNTO

Primary Meaning: An old or formal/literary form of TO. It means "as far as," "up to," or "until." Rarely used in modern English but appears in Bible passages, proverbs, and formal literature — commonly tested in Board Exams.

UseExample
Formal / literary equivalent of "to""Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Meaning "up to" or "as far as"He was faithful unto death.
Used in proverbs and religious texts"Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

📖 Board Exam Tip: When you see a sentence with a formal, old-fashioned, or religious/literary tone asking for a preposition similar to "to" — the answer is likely UNTO.

④ TOWARDS

Primary Meaning: Shows movement or direction in the direction of something — but the destination is NOT necessarily reached. Also used for attitude, feelings, or contribution.

UseExample
Moving in the direction of (not necessarily arriving)He walked towards the river. (may not reach it)
Attitude or feeling toward someone/somethingShe has a kind attitude towards animals.
Contributing to a purpose or goalThis donation goes towards building a school.
Approximately (time or place)It happened towards evening. (approximately)

⚠️ TO vs TOWARDS: "He walked to the station" = he arrived there. "He walked towards the station" = he was moving in that direction but may not have arrived.

⑤ FROM

Primary Meaning: Shows the starting point of movement, distance, time, source, or origin. It is the opposite of TO.

UseExample
Starting point of movement or distanceShe came from Chennai.  |  5 km from here.
Starting point of timeThe exam is from 10 am.  |  From Monday onwards.
Source or originThis letter is from my father.  |  Made from milk.
Separation or preventionKeep away from fire.  |  Free from pain.
Cause or reasonHe is tired from working all day.

⚠️ FROM…TO / FROM…TILL: These are used together for a range — "from Monday to Friday," "from 9 am to 5 pm," "from beginning to end."

📌 All Five — Master Comparison Table

PrepositionKey MeaningQuick Example
TOMovement to a destination (reached); indirect object; up toShe went to school.
INTOMovement from outside to inside; transformation; collisionHe walked into the room.
UNTOFormal/literary "to"; meaning "up to," "as far as"; in proverbsDo unto others as you wish.
TOWARDSDirection (destination NOT reached); attitude; contributionShe moved towards the door.
FROMStarting point of place, time, or origin; separation; causeHe came from Delhi.

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