One word or two
Into vs. In to
Into is a preposition that shows movement inside or a change: walk into a room, turn into ice. In to is the word in, often part of a verb, followed by to: hand your work in to the teacher.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| into | preposition | moving to the inside of a place or thing, or changing to a new form or state |
| in to | phrase | the word in, often part of a verb such as turn in or stop in, followed by to |
Into
preposition: moving to the inside of a place or thing, or changing to a new form or state
- Sam dove into the lake before anyone else.
- The caterpillar turned into a butterfly within two weeks.
In to
phrase: the word in, often part of a verb such as turn in or stop in, followed by to
- Please hand your forms in to the front desk.
- We stopped in to see Grandma on the way home.
How to remember the difference
Ask whether in belongs to the verb. If you could say turn in or give in on its own, write in to. If it's about entering or becoming, write into.
Good to know
Phrasal verbs such as give in, turn in and tune in keep in to as two words: tune in to the game. Into is also informal for being very interested in something, as in I'm into jazz.
Spot the mistake
Don't give
intoin to pressure from your friends.Correct: Don't give in to pressure from your friends.
The cat jumped
in tointo the box and fell asleep.Correct: The cat jumped into the box and fell asleep.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. She turned the lost wallet the police.
Answer: in to. Turn in is the verb here, and to goes with the police, so write two words.
2. Pour the batter the pan and bake for thirty minutes.
Answer: into. The batter moves to the inside of the pan, so the single word into fits.