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Into or In To

“Into" indicates movement or transformation toward the inside of a place or state, while "in to" involves two separate words where "in" is part of a verb phrase and "to" is a preposition or part of an infinitive.

Understanding "Into"

"Into" indicates movement toward the inside of a place or thing. It often shows transformation or change in state.

Examples:

  • "She walked into the room."

  • "The caterpillar turned into a butterfly."

  • "He threw the ball into the basket."

  • "The book fell into the water."

  • "She dived into the pool."

Common contexts for using "into" include physical movement, entry, and transformations.

Understanding "In To"

"In to" occurs when "in" is part of a verb phrase and "to" is a preposition or part of an infinitive.

Examples:

  • "He came in to say hello."

  • "She logged in to check her email."

  • "They checked in to the hotel."

  • "She turned herself in to the police."

  • "He broke in to steal the jewels."

Situations where "in to" is appropriate include actions and purposes following a verb, and when "in" is part of a phrasal verb.

Tips to Distinguish Between "Into" and "In To"

Here are simple tips to help you decide which to use:

  • If it involves movement or transformation, use "into."

  • If it involves two separate actions, use "in to."

Practice sentences:

  • "She walked into the office."

  • "He came in to submit his report."

  • "The bird flew into the window."

  • "She signed in to access the account."

  • "The scientist turned water into steam."

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many learners mix up "into" and "in to." Here are examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect:

  • "She looked in to the matter."

  • "He bumped in to the wall."

  • "They went in to get warm."

Correct:

  • "She looked into the matter."

  • "He bumped into the wall."

  • "They went in to get warm."

Practice with these exercises to reinforce correct usage:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with "into" or "in to":

  1. He walked ____ the store to buy groceries.

  2. She tuned ____ her favorite radio station.

  3. The magician turned the hat ____ a rabbit.

  4. She came ____ see her friend.

  5. The thief broke ____ the house.

Exercise 2: Correct the mistakes:

  1. She went in to the library to study.

  2. He dived in to the water without hesitation.

  3. They checked into the room late at night.

  4. He looked into the telescope.

  5. The cat jumped in to the box.

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