Learn English – he ran to the school meaning ? does it mean he started running towards or he reached the spot by running

sentence-meaningword-usage

I want to know exact meaning because I am writing stories but I have some doubts regarding usage.
I know.

"he ran from home" means left home and started running.

and

" he ran a mile " means he completed running a mile.

also

"he ran up to the school" means he ran until he reach the school/a park.

but what does

"he ran from home to the school/a park"

mean? Does it mean he started running from home toward the school or does it mean he reached the school by running.

and what does

"he ran to the school/a park "

mean. Does it mean he ran towards the school or does it mean he reached the school by running.

Please explain different usages and its meanings of the verb ran (in the question i am talking about the verb. not difference between school or the school .in the above examples. i have used the school to indicate the destination like a park. a forest etc.)

Best Answer

The prepositional phrase "to school" gives a destination. So "He ran to school." or "He ran to the school" implies he ran all the way from his starting point to school.

If you just want to indicate direction you would say "He ran towards school."

"He ran up to the school" is less clear. It might mean he ran the last part of the journey (perhaps he started on the bus, or walking).

Jon was running late and he knew his teachers would be angry if he wasn't on time, so he ran to school and was panting as he entered the classroom

Joe saw smoke rising from the school gym and though of Mary; she must still be in the building! He began to run towards the school, but an explosion knocked him off his feet and he blacked out.

Jeff got of the bus and started walking towards the school. He saw Daphne was already waiting for him and so he ran up to the school gate.

Related Topic