into
The preposition, “into,” is similar to “in,” but there are situations in which the best choice is into. The general meaning is to enter a place, but “into” is also often combined with a verb to create a phrasal verb.
- She walked into the room. (into = enter)
- He ran into another car. (run into = crash)
- You seem very into this subject. (be into = interest)
This highway leads into a mountainous area.
a. into = enter a physical space
The main difference between “into” and “in” is that of movement. Use “in” for location. Use “into” for entering a location.
- The teacher walked into the room. (He entered the room.)
- The teacher walked in the room. (He was in the room and walking.)
Do you see the difference? Here are some more examples for “into.”
- Tomas is going into the building.
- The clerk put the groceries into the bag.
- Please put this in/into the refrigerator. (Sometimes both choices are okay.)
- I need to run into the bank to get some money.
- If you want to cross into another lane on the highway, you should use your turn signal.
a. into = enter physical space
- These stairs lead people into the subway. (lead into = take you to)
- You can put your bike into (or “in”) the garage to keep it safe.
b. into = create a condition
This use of “into” is slightly different from the first. In these examples, a new situation or a condition is created.
- I cut the pizza into squares.
- Could you please cut this cake into twelve even slices? (slice = piece)
- It’s hard to break into show business. (break into = enter an area or field)
- Maurice has decided he’s going to go into medicine and become a doctor. (go into = enter a field)
- Two men outside of a soccer stadium got into a fight. (get into = start)
- Clark Kent turns into Superman when he fights crime; Bruce Wayne turns into Batman. (turn into = to change one’s identity)
- You’re going to turn into a jerk if you hang out with those people. (turn into = become)
b. into = create a condition
- They have entered into an agreement to work as partners. (enter into = begin a relationship)
- They cut the pizza into eight slices.
c. into -- phrasal verbs
verb + into: run into, get into, be into, look into, dig into, talk into
- I ran into an old friend of mine today. (run into = meet)
- It’s hard for some people to get into opera. (get into = become interested)
- She’s very into modern art. (be into = be interested)
- The police are looking into the motivation for the crime. (look into = investigate)
- George’s father talked him into joining the military. (talk one into = to convince a person to take action)
- The more we dig into the connection between human activity and the environment, the more we realize what the negative impacts are. (dig into = research)
c. into -- phrasal verbs
- He’s very into working with metal. (be + into)
- He’s into metalwork.
- His friends talked him into getting a really short haircut. (talk into)