When writing a paper, you may come across words that are easily confused, known as commonly confused words. One such pair is “into” and “in to.” Although they seem to have the same grammatical function, it’s essential to understand the difference between these two words, as they have different meanings and uses. Incorrect usage of these words can harm the quality of your writing. Therefore, in academic writing, it’s crucial to be clear and precise to communicate your ideas effectively.
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Definition of “into vs. in to”
While there isn’t a strict rule on when to use “in to” instead of “into,” here are some guidelines to help remember. Use “into” when expressing physical movement or direction towards the inside or within something. Use “in to” when the two words serve separate purposes in the sentence. “In” indicates a location, whereas “to” indicates a purpose.
Remember that “into” is a single word, primarily indicating movement, while “in to” involves using “in” to describe a location and “to” to indicate purpose or direction. Practice and exposure to different contexts will contribute to a more profound understanding of when to use each.
Into
… is a preposition that indicates movement or direction toward the inside or within something.
In to
… are both adverbs and prepositions, and the meaning is based on the verb in the verbal phrase they are part of.
The key to differentiating between “into” and “in to” lies in understanding their functions. Use “into” when expressing movement or direction towards the inside or within something. Use “in to” when “in” and “to” are separate words with distinct meanings. “In” might describe a location, and “to” indicates direction or purpose.
Using the word “into”
“Into” only functions as a preposition in the English language. How it is applied in a sentence, and what the word means, will be explained below.
“Into” as a preposition
“Into” is a preposition that indicates movement or direction towards the inside or within something. Here are three short example sentences.
Examples
- She walked into the room.
- The bird flew into the sky.
- He dived into the pool.
“Into” as part of a verb phrase
The word “into” in the context of “to turn something into” or “to transform something into” implies a change or transformation from one state, form, or identity to another. It’s often used to describe a process where the nature, appearance, or function of something is fundamentally altered.
Examples
- The caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly.
- With a little creativity, we can transform this empty lot into a community garden.
- The software update turned my old phone into a much more efficient device.
Tip for using “into” correctly
Using synonyms of the word “into” can help you avoid repetition and redundancy and enhance the overall quality of your writing. Doing this can help you use different words and phrases to express the same or similar ideas in different ways. This can improve your communication.
| Synonyms | Examples |
| In the direction of | He pointed into the mountains. |
| He pointed in the direction of the mountains. | |
| Toward | The path led into the forest. |
| The path led toward the forest. | |
| Upon | She stumbled into a hidden treasure. |
| She stumbled upon a hidden treasure. |
Using the phrase “in to”
The phrase “in to” consists of two separate words. Whereas “in” is a preposition, “to” is an adverb or preposition. What the phrase means and how it’s being used grammatically will be discussed further down.
“In to” as part of a verb phrase
“In to” is a combination of the preposition “in” and the adverb “to” when they appear together but don’t form a single meaning. Note that “to” always follows the “in.” They are always named together when “in” is part of a phrasal verb and “to” is part of an infinitive verb phrase. In the following, there are example sentences to showcase the different meanings based on the verb with which the phrase is being used.
Examples
- She stepped in to answer the phone.
- They walked in to deliver the news.
- He leaned in to get a closer look.
Tip for using “in to” correctly
While “in to” itself is a specific combination of the preposition “in” and the adverb “to,” it may not have direct synonyms when used in the same context. However, the meaning conveyed by “in to” can often be expressed using different prepositions or phrasing, depending on the specific context. It’s essential to consider the intended sense of location, purpose, or direction in each case.
Test yourself!
Practice sheet
To improve your ability to distinguish between “into” and “in to,” complete the practice sentences in the first tab and cheque your answers in the second tab.
- She walked ___ the room to find her keys.
- The cat leaped ___ the open window.
- They huddled ___ discuss the plan.
- He dived ___ the water with a splash.
- The team gathered ___ a huddle before the game.
- He leaned __ whisper a secret in his ear.
- The detective delved ___ the details of the case.
- The explorer ventured ___ an unknown territory.
- He stepped ___ the office for a quick meeting.
- She walked ___ discuss the project with her colleagues.
- She walked into the room to find her keys.
- The cat leaped into the open window.
- They huddled in to discuss the plan.
- He dived into the water with a splash.
- The team gathered into a huddle before the game.
- He leaned in to whisper a secret in his ear.
- The detective delved into the details of the case.
- The explorer ventured into an unknown territory.
- He stepped into the office for a quick meeting.
- She walked in to discuss the project with her colleagues.
FAQs
Use “into” to indicate movement or direction towards the inside or within something.
Use “in to” when “in” and “to” are separate words with distinct meanings. “In” might describe a location, and “to” indicates direction or purpose.
The key difference between “into” and “in to” lies in their usage and meaning:
- “Into” is a preposition indicating movement or direction toward the inside or within something.
- “In to” is a combination of the preposition “in” and the adverb “to” used when “in” and “to” serve separate purposes in a sentence, often indicating location and purpose.
Both “log into” and “log in to” are commonly used, and both forms are generally acceptable. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or specific style guides.
Examples
- I need to log into my email account.
- She will log in to the system shortly.
In general, use “into” when expressing physical movement towards the inside of something. Use “in to” when “in” and “to” serve different grammatical functions in the sentence, often involving location and purpose.
