Difference Between In and Into

Many think that in and into are interchangeable, while this is not so, because their meanings are very different. The word ‘in‘ is used to denote a state when something is enclosed by something else. As against, ‘into‘ is used to express motion wherein something comes inside from outside and then it is enclosed. Let’s take a read of the examples below to understand the two better:

• In April, my roommate moved into her new flat.
• The neighbours came into my house, to see what’s going on, in the house.
• Is there any PG college in this city? I want to take admission into it.

In the given examples, in and into are used in a variety of ways. In the first example, ‘in’ is used to indicate ‘during’, whereas ‘into’ is used to indicate ‘shifting’. In the second example, ‘into’ refers to ‘entering’, while ‘in’ implies ‘inside’. In our last example, ‘in’ is used to talk about ‘a particular area’, whereas ‘into’ implies ‘entrance to something’.

Content: In Vs Into

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. How to remember the difference

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	In	Into
Meaning	'In' is used when something is within, i.e. one thing contains another.	When someone or something comes from outside to the inside, we use the word 'into'.
Talks about	Position	Destination
Used	When someone or something is in rest.	When someone or something is in motion.
Example	I am living in Dubai.	Milk is converted into curd.
	In 1947, India got independence.	The child fell into the pothole.
	He works in Microsoft.	Nine into nine goes eighty one.

Definition of In

‘In’ is a preposition which means within. It is used to express a state when an object is inside something. In simple words, ‘in’ is used to represent inclusion in a place or an enclosed area. Let’s take a look at its uses:

1. When an object is inside a particular area or place or anything else:
   • Is there is any key in my purse?
   • They live in the outskirts of Mumbai.
   • There are no medicines in the box.
   • Paul was swimming in the river.
   • Kate is waiting for you in the park.
   • Don’t talk in my class.
2. When something is a part of something else:
   • Joe works as the team leader in the company.
3. It is also used to indicate during a particular period:
   • In 2016, she went to the UK for studies.
   • She met an accident in 2014, in which she lost her legs.
   • In my spare time, I love to watch movies.
4. It can also be used to indicate before something ends.
   • Lunch will be served in 5 minutes.
   • I will call you in ten minutes.
   • The flight leaves in 15 minutes.
5. To show direction:
   • The sun sets in the west.
6. To talk about a person’s occupation:
   • She said you are in web publishing.

Definition of Into

Basically, we use the word ‘into’ when something is moving or in motion, so that it is surrounded by something else, i.e. entering an enclosed space. It is a preposition, which can also be used when an object changes its state. Let’s discuss its uses:

1. To move inside in a particular place:
   • Get into the room.
   • I was reading the newspaper when Robin came into the room.
   • Diana is putting her mobile phone into the hand purse.
   • The candidates are not allowed to bring electronic devices into the exam hall.
2. When something converts or changes from one from/medium into another:
   • Then, the snake turned into a man.
   • Cut the cake into pieces.
3. In classification or division:
   • The book is divided into different units.
4. It is used to indicate movement involving touching something intensely:
   • Shael crashed his car into a road divider.
5. It can also be used for a continued or deeper penetration or in the direction of something:
   • Look into the mirror.
   • He read the documents thoroughly to gain insight into the matter.
   • We’ll take the records into consideration.
6. In maths:
   • Five into two is equal to ten.

Examples

In

• Jai is in London.
• My father is in politics.
• The boy in the black shirt is his brother.

Into

• Rini is going into the hospital.
• The policeman rushed into the building.
• Throw the garbage into the dustbin.

How to remember the difference

The words, in and into are quite similar in their meaning, but their difference lies in the fact that ‘into’ is used when someone or something moves to another location which is an enclosed one. Conversely, ‘in’ is used when something is already in a resting position in an enclosed space.