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Prepositions for transport

To talk about transport, the most common prepositions are in, on, at and by. When do we use each one?

Use ‘on’ and 'off'

if the vehicle is large enough for you to enter it standing on your feet.

• bus
• plane
• train
• tram
• boat

if you are sitting on top of the vehicle.

• bike  
• motorbike  

Examples

• She loves seeing the world on her motorbike.
• Now that we’re off the plane we can go through passport security. 

Use ‘in’ and ‘out’ 
if you immediately have to sit down when you enter a vehicle because it’s a smaller space.

• car
• taxi
• van
• truck/lorry
• helicopter

Examples

• It’s much warmer in the car than out the car.
• The construction materials are already in the van. 

Use ‘at’
for the places we find these types of transport.

• bus station
• airport
• train station
• tram station
• pier/dock/harbour
• taxi rank
• helipad

Examples

• He’s already waiting for you at the train station.
• We can catch a ferry at the dock.

Use ‘by’
to talk about the way you travel, except if you walk, use ‘on’.

Examples

• Shall we go to the concert by train or by bus?
• I usually go to work on foot.   

To do

Practise by using the worksheet.

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