Using Into or In To: Why it Matters in Contracts

Have you ever found yourself unsure whether to use into or in to? It’s a grammar problem that trips up many writers, even the experienced ones. Though these two-word combinations look and sound similar, they serve very different purposes. Misusing them can lead to confusion, especially when you’re writing something important, like a contract or legal document. If you’ve ever struggled with this, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and we’re here to make it easy to get it right every time.

In this blog, we’re going to walk you through the difference between “into” and “in to” in the simplest, most straightforward way possible. We’ll show you when and how to use each one, with plenty of examples, tips, and tricks to help you master these small but important details. We’ll also explain why proper grammar matters so much, especially when you’re working with contracts, and we’ll introduce you to the College of Contract Management, which can help you refine your contract writing skills.

Key differences between Into or In To

These words may look the same at first, but they function in very different ways. So, let's start by breaking down the basic difference between into and in to. We'll also go through a couple of examples and how one scenario varies from the other to give you a better understanding of the two.

• “Into” is a preposition that indicates movement or direction toward something. It’s often used to describe an action that involves entering or changing form.
  • Example: She walked into the office. (This indicates movement toward the office.)
  • Example: The caterpillar changed into a butterfly. (This describes a transformation.)
• “In to” is not a single word; it’s just two separate words that happen to appear together in a sentence. Usually, “in” is part of a verb phrase (like “check in,” “give in,” or “log in”), and “to” connects it to the rest of the sentence.
  • Example: He checked in to the hotel. (Here, “checked in” is the verb, and “to” links it to the hotel.)
  • Example: They came in to finish their work. (“Came in” is the verb, and “to” links it to the purpose of finishing work.)

When you use “into,” you’re indicating movement or a change of state, and when you use “in to,” you’re dealing with a phrase that involves an action being carried out toward something.

Importance of grammar in contracts

You might be thinking, “What’s the big deal about getting into or in to mixed up?” But in the world of contract writing, even small errors can cause big headaches. Contracts are legal documents that outline important agreements between parties, and they need to be clear, precise, and free of ambiguity. A single misplaced word or punctuation mark can change the meaning of an entire agreement.

Here’s why grammar is so crucial in contracts:

1. Clarity: Contracts need to be understood by all parties involved. Using the wrong word, like confusing “into” and “in to,” can create confusion about the terms of the agreement.
2. Avoiding Legal Disputes: Misused grammar can lead to legal loopholes or loopholes that can be exploited later. If the wording in a contract is unclear, one party might try to interpret it in their favour, leading to disputes.
3. Professionalism: Proper grammar shows that you take your work seriously and are dedicated to delivering high-quality work. Sloppy grammar can make a contract seem unprofessional, and it might even impact your reputation in business.
4. Small errors in grammar, like confusing “into” and “in to,” might seem minor, but in the context of a legal document, they can lead to major misunderstandings and mistakes that could affect the terms of a deal or the outcome of a negotiation.

How to use Into or In To

To make use of into or in to in the grammatically correct way, it’s best to identify whether there’s movement or not. However, there are other factors you should consider in these situations. The following below are some tips to help you identify which of the two you should use:

Tip #1: Look for Movement or Direction

If the sentence involves movement or direction, you’re probably dealing with “into.” This includes situations where something is entering a space or changing into something else.

• Example: He ran into the room. (Movement toward a place.)
• Example: The child puts the toy into the box. (Movement of the toy into the box.)
• Example: The caterpillar turned into a butterfly. (Transformation.)

If there’s no movement or direction, then between into or in to, “in to” is likely the right choice.

Tip #2: Look for Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions (like “log in,” “check in,” or “give in”), and they require “in to” instead of “into.”

• Example: She checked in to the flight gate. (Phrasal verb “checked in.”)
• Example: He logged in to the website. (Phrasal verb “logged in.”)
• Example: They gave in to the pressure. (Phrasal verb “gave in.”)

If you can separate the verb and preposition and they still make sense as a unit, then it’s usually “in to.”

Tip #3: Read the Sentence Out Loud

This is one of the simplest and most effective tricks. When in doubt, read the sentence aloud. If removing the “to” still leaves the sentence meaningfully intact, you likely need “in to.” If it sounds incomplete or awkward, go with “into.”

• Example: She came in to talk. (Sounds fine, as “came in” is a complete action.)
• Example: She ran into the room. (If you say “She ran in the room,” it sounds incomplete. “Into” makes it clear that she entered the room.)

Practical Examples for Into or In To

To get a full understanding of these words and what situations to use each one, it's best to go through some sample scenarios of where they’re used appropriately. Let’s explore a few examples side by side to show exactly how “into” and “in to” are correctly used in various contexts:

“Into” Examples (Movement or Transformation):

• The dog jumped into the pool. (Movement toward the pool.)
• She poured the coffee into the mug. (Pouring the liquid inside.)
• The idea quickly developed into a successful business. (Transformation.)
• He walked into the meeting room. (Movement toward a place.)
• The caterpillar turned into a butterfly. (Transformation of state.)

“In To” Examples (Phrasal Verbs or Action):

• She checked in to the system. (Action of checking in.)
• They logged in to the website to check their order. (Action: logging in.)
• He came in to answer the call. (Action: coming in to do something.)
• I handed the report in to my boss. (Action: handing in.)
• We arrived to sign the contract. (Action: arriving to perform a task.)

By looking at these examples, you can quickly spot the difference between “into” and “in to” based on whether the sentence involves movement or change (go with into) or a verb phrase that requires “in” and “to” (use in to).

Why you need to understand "into or in to" for contract writing

Contracts are more than just pieces of paper. They are legally binding documents that can affect the future of businesses, agreements, and relationships. Because of this, the clarity and precision of your writing are absolutely vital in these situations. Here’s how getting your grammar right (especially with into or in to) can make a huge difference in contract writing:

1. Legal Accuracy: For example, if you’re drafting a FIDIC contract, a single word choice could change the meaning entirely. For example, “The contractor shall transfer materials in to the site” instead of the correct “into the site”, could cause confusion about whether the materials are already onsite or need to be delivered, potentially leading to costly delays.
2. Preventing Misunderstandings: When contract terms are vague or unclear, parties might interpret them differently, leading to disputes or delays.
3. Building Trust: Clients and business partners trust you to write accurate, professional contracts. If they see sloppy grammar or ambiguous wording, it can hurt your credibility.

Mastering the use of "into or in to" in written contracts

In writing contracts, it's an absolute must to be careful of your word usage. A simple mistake in using into or in to can drastically alter the meaning of contract terms and conditions. In order to avoid this, continuously seeking professional development in contract writing and grammar is an important step to take.

If you’re interested in improving your contract writing skills, consider enrolling in courses at the College of Contract Management. This specialised institution offers a range of courses designed to teach you the ins and outs of contract writing, including grammar, legal language, and structure. Through the College, you'll learn the best practices for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts—such as NEC contracts—but you'll also get a grip on the precise legal terminology needed for clarity and accuracy. What’s more, you'll gain real-world skills that you can start applying immediately in your job. So, what are you waiting for? Enhance your skills further with the College and achieve your professional goals.