in and into, on and onto: prepositions
Position and direction
We generally use in and on to talk about the positions of things – where they are; and into and onto to talk about directions and destinations – where things are going. Compare:
- A moment later the ball was in the goal.
The ball rolled slowly into the goal. (not… rolled slowly in the goal.) - She was walking in the garden.
Then she walked into the house. - The cat’s on the roof again.
How does it get onto the roof?
Note that into and onto are normally written as single words. On to is also possible in British English.
in and on for movement
After some verbs (e.g. throw, jump, push, put, fall) we can use both in and into, or on and onto, to talk about directional movement. We prefer into/onto when we think of the movement itself, and in/on when we think more of the end of the movement – the place where somebody or something will be. Compare:
- The children keep jumping into the flowerbeds.
Go and jump in the river. - In the experiment, we put glowing magnesium into jars of oxygen.
Could you put the ham in the fridge? - He was trying to throw his hat onto the roof.
Throw another log on the fire.
We use in and on after sit down and arrive.
- He sat down in the armchair, and I sat down on the floor. (not
He sat down into…) orI sat down onto … - We arrive in Athens at midday. (not usually
We arrive into Athens …)
For arrive at …, (see here).
into for change
We normally use into after verbs suggesting change.
- When she kissed the frog, it changed into a handsome prince. (not
… changed in a handsome prince.) - Can you translate this into Chinese? (not
… translate this in Chinese?)
Cut can be followed by into or in.
- Cut the onion in(to) small pieces.
And note the expression in half.
- I broke it in half. (not
… into half.)
in and on as adverbs
In and on are used as adverbs for both position and movement.
- I stayed in last night.
- What have you got on?
- Come in! (not
Come into!) - Put your coat on.
For the difference between in and to, (see here).