into
/ˈɪntə/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪntə/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-(ˌ)tü -tə/ (ame, mw)
into — preposition
1. moving from a position outside to a position within the boundaries of a space, c
moving from a position outside to a position within the boundaries of a space, container, or area — for example, walking into a room, pouring water into a cup, or driving into a garage.
Lan carefully walked into the dark room and turned on the light.
walk into + place for entering a space
Cole poured the milk into a tall glass for his little sister.
The letter from Luca's grandmother had slipped into a pile of newspapers.
A small bird flew into the kitchen through the open window this morning.
Rania put her keys into her bag just before leaving the house.
- out of
movement from inside to outside
文法句型
verb + into + noun phrase referring to a place, container, or enclosed space
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs that describe movement from one location to another. The object of 'into' is typically an enclosed space, a container, or a defined area.
常見錯誤
2. indicating movement from one condition, form, or appearance to another — for exa
indicating movement from one condition, form, or appearance to another — for example, ice turning into water, a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, or a building being converted into apartments.
The water in the freezer had turned into solid ice by morning.
turn into + noun for change of physical state
Hari carefully rolled the dough into a thin, even circle for the pizza.
The old shoe factory was converted into a large modern art gallery.
Caterpillars slowly change into beautiful butterflies inside a silk cocoon.
Inês's surprise turned into excitement as she unwrapped the birthday gift.
- to
used with 'change' or 'turn' but less specific; 'turn to ice' vs 'turn into ice' — 'into' emphasizes a complete transformation
文法句型
verb + into + noun phrase referring to a new state, form, or condition
用法筆記
Typically follows verbs of transformation such as 'turn,' 'change,' 'convert,' 'transform,' 'develop,' or 'grow.' The object names the resulting state or form.
常見錯誤
3. showing that a moving person or object strikes against a surface or another obje
showing that a moving person or object strikes against a surface or another object with noticeable force, without going inside — for example, a car crashing into a wall or someone bumping into a door.
The blue car skidded on the ice and crashed into a large tree.
crash into + object for violent collision
Eitan bumped into the edge of the table and spilled his hot coffee.
A powerful wave crashed into the side of the small fishing boat.
Liang walked straight into a glass door that he thought was open.
Isabela rode her bicycle into a parked car while checking her phone.
- against
suggests contact without implying force of movement; 'leaned against the wall' vs 'crashed into the wall'
文法句型
verb + into + noun phrase referring to a surface or object hit with force
用法筆記
The object of 'into' in this sense is always a solid surface or object that stops the movement. The verb itself often carries information about force ('crash,' 'smash,' 'slam') or accidental contact ('bump,' 'walk').
常見錯誤
4. indicating that a person or thing is positioned, looking, or moving toward a par
indicating that a person or thing is positioned, looking, or moving toward a particular direction or focal point — for example, staring into the distance, speaking into a microphone, or driving into the wind.
Luca stared into the dark forest but could see no movement at all.
stare into + direction for directing gaze
Amihan whispered something into her friend's ear during the movie.
The delivery truck drove north into a strong wind for most of the day.
Wren gazed into the distance, thinking about the summer ahead.
The living room windows face into the garden at the back of the house.
- toward
more general direction without the sense of focused attention or penetration
- away from
movement in the opposite direction
文法句型
verb + into + noun phrase referring to a direction or focal point
用法筆記
Common with verbs of seeing or speaking ('look,' 'stare,' 'gaze,' 'whisper,' 'shout') and verbs of facing or orienting. The direction is usually a broad area, not a specific enclosed space.
常見錯誤
5. relating to or connected with a particular subject, topic, or activity — for exa
relating to or connected with a particular subject, topic, or activity — for example, researching into a historical event, launching an inquiry into a problem, or getting into a conversation about politics.
The police are looking into the cause of the fire at the warehouse.
look into + topic for investigating
The government launched a formal inquiry into the safety of the bridge.
inquiry into + topic for formal investigation
Liang did years of careful research into the history of his hometown.
The documentary offered a deep look into the lives of farmers in Kenya.
Isabela read widely about the topic of ocean pollution for her project.
文法句型
noun/verb + into + noun phrase referring to a topic, subject, or activity
用法筆記
Often paired with nouns or verbs that suggest examination or investigation ('research,' 'inquiry,' 'investigation,' 'look'). Less formal synonyms include 'about' or 'on,' but 'into' implies deeper or more active engagement.
6. used in arithmetic to express the operation of dividing one number or quantity b
used in arithmetic to express the operation of dividing one number or quantity by another — for example, 'three into twelve' meaning twelve divided by three, or cutting a rope into several pieces of equal size.
Two into six equals three, which Lan calculated in her head.
[number] into [number] for arithmetic division
Lan divided the birthday cake into eight slices so everyone could have one.
The teacher asked the children to split the class into four small groups.
Eight into forty is five, as Cole quickly worked out.
Eitan cut the long rope into three pieces of exactly equal length.
- divided by
more common in modern mathematical language; 'into' is traditional and can be confusing
- multiplied by
the inverse arithmetic operation
文法句型
number + into + number (expressing division)
verb + into + number of parts
用法筆記
In everyday mathematics, 'divided by' is more common than 'into' for stating division questions ('twelve divided by three'). The 'into' form appears in traditional arithmetic phrasing ('three into twelve goes four times').
7. showing strong or active interest and enjoyment in a particular activity, hobby,
showing strong or active interest and enjoyment in a particular activity, hobby, or subject — for example, being really into photography or getting into playing the guitar.
Tuan is really into photography and takes pictures every weekend.
be into + activity for expressing strong interest
Yasmin is into yoga and attends classes three times per week.
Hari got into playing the guitar after watching a concert online.
Rania is not into team sports, but she loves swimming by herself.
The children are really into building things with colourful plastic blocks.
- interested in
more neutral and formal; covers a wider range of interest levels
- keen on
British English; similar level of enthusiasm to 'into'
- not interested in
neutral opposite; lacks the informal flavour
文法句型
be + into + noun phrase (activity or interest)
get + into + noun phrase (activity or interest)
用法筆記
This sense is informal and conversational. In formal writing, 'interested in' or 'enthusiastic about' are preferred. The negative form 'not into' is very common in everyday speech.