Word
into
Phoneticsin·to, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪntu/
UK/ˈɪntʊ/
Definition
prep. moving toward the inside of something. You also use it to show when something changes into a new form or result.
prep. expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else. Also used in mathematics to indicate division or to show a change in state.
Examples
“She walked into the room and sat down.”
“The baker divided the large piece of dough into twelve smaller rolls before putting them in the oven.”
“The research team translated the raw data into a comprehensive report that highlighted the significant shifts in consumer behavior over the last decade.”
Examples
simple
“She walked into the room and sat down.”
contextual
“The baker divided the large piece of dough into twelve smaller rolls before putting them in the oven.”
complex
“The research team translated the raw data into a comprehensive report that highlighted the significant shifts in consumer behavior over the last decade.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “into” in context.
Usage
Commonly follows verbs of motion or transformation; in mathematics, it indicates the divisor in a division problem.
Pitfall
He walked in the room.
He walked into the room.
Use 'into' for movement toward the inside; 'in' usually describes a static position already inside a space.
Etymology
From Middle English in-to, from Old English intō, equivalent to in + to. Cognate with Scots intae.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/into