In vs. Into

Got a burning grammar question? Not sure how to write without a run on. Aren't sure if you're telling when you should be showing? Here's the forum to ask your question. Our amazing Jan Ackerson is here to help.

Moderators: mikeedwards, RedBaron, glorybee, mikeedwards, RedBaron, glorybee, mikeedwards, RedBaron, glorybee

Post Reply
User avatar
oursilverstrands
Pencil Plus (Over 500 Posts)
Pencil Plus (Over 500 Posts)
Posts: 984
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:21 pm
Location: Georgia
Contact:

In vs. Into

Post by oursilverstrands »

Dear Editor, :D

1) He came in the bedroom where I was and just stood there.

2) He came into the bedroom, where I was and just stood there.

I say it's (2), or does it matter?


Lillian
When Youth Fades
Available at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+youth+f ... nb_sb_noss/

Fortunate 500


I have a love affair with words. I write, even when I think I can't. I'm hooked on words!

"Let words bewitch you. Scrutinze them, mull them, savor them, and in combination, until you see their subtle differences and the ways they tint each other." Francis Flaherty
glorybee
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2356
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:46 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: In vs. Into

Post by glorybee »

lish1936 wrote:Dear Editor, :D

1) He came in the bedroom where I was and just stood there.

2) He came into the bedroom, where I was and just stood there.

I say it's (2), or does it matter?


Lillian
Sorry for the delay--I've been on vacation, and was in airports most of today.

It definitely matters, and you're right--it's #2 (without the comma).

Here are are few more sentences to illustrate the difference:

She tossed a ball in the lake.

This sentence says that she was in the lake--and that while she was there, she tossed the ball.

She tossed a ball into the lake.

This sentence says that she was on the shore (or somewhere else NOT the lake--perhaps in a hang glider above it) and she tossed the ball so that it went into the waters of the lake.

A few similar sentences with a related pair of words:

Jan hopped on the chair.
Jan hopped onto the chair.


In the first sentence, Jan was already on the chair and she started to hop. In the second one, Jan was on the floor, and after hopping, she was on the chair.

I'll leave it to you to determine the two possible meanings of your original sentences.
Jan Ackerson -- Follow me, friend me, give me a wave!
http://www.superioreditingservice.com
Twitter: @janackerson1
Instagram: janackerson
Facebook: Jan Worgul Ackerson, Superior Editing Service, Jan Ackerson, writer
User avatar
oursilverstrands
Pencil Plus (Over 500 Posts)
Pencil Plus (Over 500 Posts)
Posts: 984
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:21 pm
Location: Georgia
Contact:

Re: In vs. Into

Post by oursilverstrands »

Thanks, Jan. By the way, I have no idea why I inserted that comma in the second example. I knew better from absorbing your lessons. :D

I hope there's no comma after "better." :oops:

Lillian
When Youth Fades
Available at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+youth+f ... nb_sb_noss/

Fortunate 500


I have a love affair with words. I write, even when I think I can't. I'm hooked on words!

"Let words bewitch you. Scrutinze them, mull them, savor them, and in combination, until you see their subtle differences and the ways they tint each other." Francis Flaherty
Post Reply

Return to “Ask an Editor”