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Into vs. In To (Expanded)

When Jane authored the first Grammar Tip on this subject in 2009, her intention was to provide simple, concise guidance on the most commonly encountered uses of the words into and in to. But she knew that at some point we would need to explore this topic in more depth. Since issuing that Grammar Tip, we have responded to 247 questions from readers on a wide variety of situations regarding the use of into vs. in to!  So, there is no better time than now to go into more depth on this topic.

How does one know when to use into or in to?

1. One of the main uses of the preposition into is to indicate movement toward the inside of a place.

Examples

The children jumped into the lake for a swim.

Mom drove the car into the garage.

 

2. Into can indicate “in the direction of.”

Example

Do not look directly into the laser or you may damage your eyes.

 

3. Into can refer to a state or condition.

Example

He got into trouble.

The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.

 

4. Into can indicate occupation or involvement.

Examples

The couple went into farming.

Unfortunately, her brother got into drugs.

 

5. Into can imply introduction, insertion, or inclusion.

Examples

The nations entered into an alliance.

Marguerite was hired into the firm.

Jojo incorporated my comments into the final document.

 

6. Into can indicate a point within time or space.

Example

We are now well into the year.

The spacecraft went into orbit around the moon.

 

7. Into is used as a divisor in math.

Example

The number 4 goes into 8 two times.

 

As you can see, there are many different situations where it is correct to use the word into. However, sometimes the words in (adverb) and to (preposition) just happen to find themselves neighbors, and they must remain separate words.

Examples

Rachel dived back in to rescue the struggling boy. [Here, in is part of “back in” and to belongs with “rescue” (forming the infinitive) and means “in order to,” not “where.”]

The administrators wouldn’t give in to the demands of the protestors.

He turned his essay in to the teacher.

Using the word into in the last example would be a big mistake. It would mean he performed some kind of amazing magic trick that made his essay become the teacher!

 

I know this has been one of our longest Grammar Tips ever. However, 247 comments over the last two plus years indicated that we needed to cover this subject more thoroughly. I hope this lesson helped. Try your hand at the Pop Quiz, which includes some of the questions readers have submitted.

 

Pop Quiz

1. As a child, I was too afraid to go into/in to the Halloween haunted house.

2. I’m going to turn the wallet I found into/in to the police.

3. If your battery is running low, you’ll need to plug your power cord into/in to the socket.

4. I will look into/in to the options you have suggested.

5. She came into/in to warm her hands and feet.

6. Her brother Billy is really into/in to sports.

7. Excuse me, I’m going to tune into/in to watch the nightly news.

8. The agreement goes into/in to effect on October 1.

 

Answers:

1. As a child, I was too afraid to go into/in to the Halloween haunted house.

2. I’m going to turn the wallet I found into/in to the police.

3. If your battery is running low, you’ll need to plug your power cord into/in to the socket.

4. I will look into/in to the options you have suggested.

5. She came into/in to warm her hands and feet.

6. Her brother Billy is really into/in to sports.

7. Excuse me, I’m going to tune into/in to watch the nightly news.

8. The agreement goes into/in to effect on October 1.

To comment on this grammar tip, click on the title.

Posted on Sunday, July 29th, 2012, at 1:08 pm

Pled v. Pleaded & Enormity Defined

Today I will answer a couple of questions I received from radio listeners when I was a guest.

Question: Should you say “pled guilty” or “pleaded guilty”? Answer: Either one is considered correct.

Question: Does “enormity” mean “something monstrous” or “something important”? Answer: Both

Enormity

Definition: something outrageous or heinous, as an offense.

Example: The bombing of the defenseless population was an enormity beyond belief.

Definition: greatness of size, scope, extent, or influence; immensity.

Example: The enormity of such an act of generosity is staggering.

To comment on this grammar tip, click on the title.

Posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010, at 12:22 pm

On to vs. Onto

Rule 1: In general, use onto as one word to mean on top of, to a position on, upon. Use onto if you can use up before on.

Examples:
He climbed (up) onto the roof.
Let’s step onto the dance floor.
She held on to her child in the crowd. (She did not hold up her child.)
I’m going to log on to the computer.

Rule 2: Use onto when you mean fully aware of; informed about.

Example: We canceled Julia’s surprise party when we realized she was onto our plan.

Pop Quiz
1. Billy, I’m worried that climbing on to/onto that tree limb is unsafe.
2. After capsizing, Ming and Lee held on to/onto the side of their boat until rescuers arrived.
3. Jose stepped down from the ladder on to/onto the ground.
4. The magician realized one person in the audience was on to/onto his trick.
5. After you drive five miles, turn on to/onto Highway 280 south.
6. You better hold on to/onto your hat on that roller coaster!

Pop Quiz Answers
1. Billy, I’m worried that climbing onto that tree limb is unsafe.
2. After capsizing, Ming and Lee held on to the side of their boat until rescuers arrived.
3. Jose stepped down from the ladder onto the ground.
4. The magician realized one person in the audience was onto his trick.
5. After you drive five miles, turn onto Highway 280 south.
6. You better hold on to your hat on that roller coaster!

Click here to learn hundreds of distinctions between common words.

To comment on this grammar tip, click on the title.

Posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, at 8:53 am

Advice vs. Advise

The word advice is a noun. It means recommendation.

Example: My sister gave me great advice about applying to colleges.

The word advise is a verb. It means the act of giving a recommendation.

Example: Can you advise me about colleges that offer bioengineering degrees?

Pop Quiz

  1. The principal gave the graduating seniors advice/advise about how to be happy, not just successful.
  2. I would advice/advise against studying all night before a test.
  3. What advice/advise would you give to someone who is learning English as a second language?

Pop Quiz Answers

  1. The principal gave the graduating seniors advice about how to be happy, not just successful.
  2. I would advise against studying all night before a test.
  3. What advice would you give to someone who is learning English as a second language?

To comment on this grammar tip, click on the title.

Posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009, at 10:07 am

Clearing Up Confusing Words

Many words in English cause confusion because they sound or look alike. Here are a few rules to help you with some common but tricky words.

Rule 1: The word accept means to agree; to receive.
The word except means but, with the exception that.

Examples:
I accept your apology.
I’ll eat anything except cottage cheese.

Rule 2: The word allusion means an indirect mention of something.
The word illusion means false perception.

Examples:
In her novel, the author made an allusion to her own childhood. OR The author alluded to her own childhood.
The magician created the illusion that the rabbit disappeared right before our eyes.

Rule 3: The word complement means completing part.
The word compliment means praise.

Examples:
Their algebra textbook won awards because her math skills complemented his writing skills beautifully.
I want to compliment you on your beautiful singing voice.

Click here to see many more Confusing Words and Homonyms clarified with examples.

Pop Quiz

  1. I cannot accept/except the fact that he doesn’t want to invest in real estate with me.
  2. Einstein was the first scientist to point out that the perception of time as linear is an allusion/illusion.
  3. My husband gave me such a nice complement/compliment when he said that my proofreading skills were as sharp as his editor’s.

Answers to Pop Quiz

Correct answers are indicated in bold type and by an asterisk (*).

  1. I cannot *accept/except the fact that he doesn’t want to invest in real estate with me.
  2. Einstein was the first scientist to point out that the perception of time as linear is an allusion/*illusion.
  3. My husband gave me such a nice complement/*compliment when he said that my proofreading skills were as sharp as his editor’s.

To comment on this grammar tip, click on the title.

Posted on Friday, September 11th, 2009, at 9:52 am

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