Skip to main content

In, into

In and into are prepositions.

In, into: position and direction​

We use in to talk about where something is in relation to a larger area around it:

  • A: Where’s Jane?
  • B: She’s in the garden.
  • I’ve left my keys in the car.

We use into to talk about the movement of something, usually with a verb that expresses movement (e.g. go, come). It shows where something is or was going:

  • A: Where’s Jane?
  • B: She’s gone into the house.
  • Helen came into the room.

Compare

She’s gone for a walk in the garden.She is in the garden walking.
She walked into the garden.She entered the garden.

With some verbs (e.g. put, fall, jump, dive) we can use either in or into with no difference in meaning:

  • Can you put the milk in/into the fridge?
  • Her keys fell in/into the canal.
See also
  • At, on and in (place)
  • At, in and to (movement)

Into: enthusiasm, interest​

We use be into to express enthusiasm or strong interest for something:

  • He’s really into his work.
  • I’m into classical music and Thai food.

Change into, turn into​

We use into after verbs describing change:

  • We’ve translated the course into six different languages.
  • She changed into her swimming costume and went for a swim.
  • They divided the cake into four pieces.
  • Not: They divided the cake in four pieces.

In: phrasal verbs​

We use in to make a number of phrasal verbs:

  • I was feeling very tired and I couldn’t really take in what she was saying. (understand)
  • Please call in and see us next time you’re in the area. (visit us briefly)

A good learner’s dictionary will include the most common phrasal verbs with in.