TextCheck

Into vs in to

Into = movement inside or a change. In to = “in” (part of a verb) + “to”.

into

preposition: movement to the inside, or becoming something

Test: Is something entering or turning into something?

  • She walked into the room.
  • The frog turned into a prince.

in to

“in” belongs to the verb (log in, hand in, give in) and “to” starts the next part

Test: Can you add “order” after “in” (“in order to”) or is “in” part of a verb?

  • Hand your essay in to the teacher.
  • He gave in to temptation.

If “in” is part of a phrasal verb (log in, turn in, give in), keep it separate.

Test yourself

Five sentences. Apply the test above to each one before you pick.

  1. She jumped _____ the pool.

  2. Please hand your forms _____ reception.

  3. Caterpillars turn _____ butterflies.

  4. We stopped _____ say hello.

  5. Don’t give _____ pressure.

Pick an answer for each sentence.

Log into or log in to?

Most style guides, including AP and Chicago, recommend “log in to your account” because “log in” is the verb. “Log into” is common online and widely understood, but “log in to” is safer in formal writing.

Catch it automatically

The grammar checker flags common mix-ups like this one by looking at the words around them, and the sentence checker can explain any sentence you’re unsure about.

Questions people ask

Is it “turn into” or “turn in to”?

“Turn into” for change (“turn into a pumpkin”); “turn in to” for submitting (“turn it in to the office”).

Other grammar guides

Affect vs effectAffect is usually the verb. Effect is usually the noun.Its vs it’sIt’s = it is / it has. Its = belonging to it.Your vs you’reYou’re = you are. Your = belonging to you.Their, there and they’reTheir = belonging to them. There = place / “there is”. They’re = they are.Advice vs adviseAdvice is the noun (rhymes with “nice”). Advise is the verb (rhymes with “prize”).Then vs thanThan compares things. Then tells you when.Whose vs who’sWho’s = who is / who has. Whose = belonging to whom.Principal vs principlePrinciple = a rule or belief. Principal = main, a head person, or a loan amount.Lose vs looseLose = misplace or not win (rhymes with “shoes”). Loose = not tight (rhymes with “goose”).Who vs whomWho does the action (he). Whom receives it (him).I.e. vs e.g.E.g. = for example (some of many). I.e. = that is (the exact thing).Farther vs furtherFarther = physical distance. Further = degree, time or “more”.Everyday vs every dayEveryday = ordinary (an adjective). Every day = each day.Complement vs complimentCompliment = praise. Complement = something that completes or suits.Lay vs lieYou lay something down. You lie down yourself.Fewer vs lessFewer for countable things. Less for uncountable amounts.Accept vs exceptAccept = receive or agree to. Except = apart from.To, too and twoTo = direction or verb marker. Too = also / excessively. Two = 2.