In, Inside, Into, Within
Do you know when to use in, inside, into, and within? These prepositions can be
tricky, but today I’ll help you understand the difference clearly!
IN VS. INSIDE
In and inside are the same in many cases.
You can say:
• We are in the house.
= We are inside the house.
• The clothes are in the closet.
= The clothes are inside the closet.
Your turn: Name some items you have in your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
– write full sentences using “in” or “inside”:
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One small difference is that the word inside implies that the thing is physically
enclosed – it is in a container (a box, a vehicle, a building with walls, etc.)
This means that when talking about location, time, being included, or other
situations where you are not physically surrounded, you should use in, not inside:
• I live in Australia.
• My birthday is in July.
• He plays guitar in a band.
EspressoEnglish.net © Shayna Oliveira 2024
Your turn: Describe some interesting things to do in your city or country – write
full sentences using “in”:
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INTO
The word into implies movement or
transformation:
• She jumped into the swimming pool.
• We went into the house.
• The car crashed into a telephone pole.
• The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
With the verbs put, throw, drop, and fall, you can use either into or in:
• He put the card into/in his pocket.
• I threw the paper cup into/in the trash.
• She lost her balance and fell into/in the river.
Your turn: What was the last building you went into? What was the last thing you
put into something else? Write full sentences:
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EspressoEnglish.net © Shayna Oliveira 2024
WITHIN
The word within means “inside the limits” – and in this case the limits are non-
physical. They can be limits of time or distance, or an area of understanding:
• The results will be delivered within fourteen days.
• Most car accidents occur within five miles of home.
We also have some expressions like:
• within earshot = at a distance where you are able to hear something (such
as a conversation)
• within reason = to the degree that good judgment would allow
• within reach / within one’s grasp = able to be taken with your hand, or
able to be accomplished
Finally, you can use within to describe a person’s inner feelings (in this case, you
can also use “inside”):
• He tried to hide the anger burning within/inside him.
Your turn: What’s something you want/need to do within the next month? What
is a goal you feel is within reach? What is one strong feeling you have within your
heart? Write full sentences using “within”:
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Now you know when to use these 4 prepositions!
You can learn a lot more inside the:
• Basic and Intermediate English Grammar E-Books for $1
• Espresso English Academy for 58% off
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