English Reference

Phrasal verb

move in

Definition

phrasal verb. to start living in a new home or using a new office.

phrasal verb. to begin occupying a new residence or place of business; often implies the physical transfer of belongings.

Examples

“We move in to our new apartment tomorrow.”

“After the previous tenants left, it took a week of cleaning before the new family could move in.”

“The tech startup is scheduled to move in once the final renovations on the downtown office suite are completed next month.”

Examples

simple

“We move in to our new apartment tomorrow.”

contextual

“After the previous tenants left, it took a week of cleaning before the new family could move in.”

complex

“The tech startup is scheduled to move in once the final renovations on the downtown office suite are completed next month.”

Usage

often used alone or followed by 'to' plus a location.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'move out' and highlight that 'move in' is intransitive unless followed by the preposition 'to'.

Pitfall

I moved in the house yesterday.

I moved into the house yesterday.

use 'move in' alone as an intransitive verb, or 'move into' if you name the specific place.

Phrasal verb

Particles

in

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

move + in

Synonyms

take occupancysettle inrelocate

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/move-in

English Reference