Through vs. Into: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on October 24, 2023
Through indicates movement from one end of a space to another. Into implies movement from outside to inside something.
Key Differences
Through generally describes a kind of movement that involves entering one side or end of a space and exiting the other. It conveys a sense of traversal, indicating that an object or individual is moving from one point to another, traversing a particular area or medium. In contrast, Into is more about transition from one state or place to another, specifically from being outside to inside a particular area or volume.
The word Through often conveys a linear motion or perception, meaning that there is an entry and an exit point in the motion being described, suggesting a continuum or a progression. Meanwhile, Into doesn’t necessarily suggest a linear motion but instead signifies a change in state or position, essentially moving from not being in a place or state to being in it, emphasizing the entrance or initiation of a condition or state.
In terms of use, Through can also imply completion or finalization of a process when used in different contexts, such as “he went through the paperwork”, which implies a review or examination from start to finish. Into, however, doesn’t possess this implication of completion but often indicates a change or transformation, as in “she went into teaching”, which signifies a transition into a certain profession or role.
Through might also be used to suggest duration, indicating that an action or state is sustained for a specified period of time, as in “the store is open through the weekend”. Whereas Into does not convey duration but might be used to express a transformation or change in condition, as in “the leaves turned into a golden hue”, which denotes a change from one state to another.
Comparison Chart
Basic Use
Indicates movement from one end to another.
Indicates movement from outside to inside.
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Grammatical Use
Often used as a preposition or adverb.
Primarily used as a preposition.
Temporal Connotations
Can denote a time frame.
Does not convey a sense of time.
Implication of Direction
Suggests a clear path or direction.
Focuses more on the endpoint of movement.
Involvement in Activity
May imply ongoing action or continuation.
Implies entrance or initiation.
Through and Into Definitions
Through
Through denotes moving from one end or side of something to the other.
The cat crawled through the tunnel.
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Into
Into denotes a division or segmentation.
She cut the cake into eight slices.
Through
Through might indicate a medium or channel used for communication or transaction.
She sent the document through email.
Into
Into is used to indicate the direction of some action or focus.
He looked into her eyes.
Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Into
Into implies inclusion or involvement in a matter.
She went into journalism after college.
Through
Among or between; in the midst of
A walk through the flowers.
Into
Into can suggest a transformation or change of state.
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
Through
By way of
Climbed in through the window.
Into
To the inside or interior of
Went into the house.
Through
By the means or agency of
Bought the antique vase through a dealer.
Into
To the activity or occupation of
Recent college graduates who go into banking.
Through
Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of
Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
Into
To the condition, state, or form of
Dishes breaking into pieces.
Changed into a butterfly.
Through
Here and there in; around
A tour through France.
Into
So as to be in or be included in
Parties entering into an agreement.
Wrote a new character into the play.
Through
From the beginning to the end of
Stayed up through the night.
Into
(Informal) Interested in or involved with
They are into vegetarianism.
Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Into
To a point within the limits of a period of time or extent of space
Well into the week.
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
Into
In the direction of; toward
Looked into the distance.
Pointed into the sky.
Through
Past and without stopping for
Drove through a red light.
Into
Against
Crashed into a tree.
Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
Into
As a divisor of
The number 3 goes into 9 three times.
Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
Into
To or towards the inside of.
Mary danced into the house.
Pour the wine into the decanter.
The nomads shave intricate designs into their camels' fur.
Through
From beginning to end; completely
I read the article once through.
Into
To or towards the region of.
We left the house and walked into the street.
The eagle flew off into the wide blue sky.
Through
Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly
Warmed the leftovers clear through.
Got soaked through in the rain.
A letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
Into
Against, especially with force or violence.
The car crashed into the tree.
I wasn't careful, and walked into a wall.
Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Into
Indicates transition into another form or substance.
I carved the piece of driftwood into a sculpture of a whale.
Right before our eyes, Jake turned into a wolf!
Through
To a conclusion or an accomplishment
See a matter through.
Into
Indicates division or the creation of subgroups or sections.
A cow's stomach is divided into four chambers.
Through
Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed
A through street.
Into
After the start of.
About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported a fire on board.
Through
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Into
(colloquial) Interested in or attracted to.
She's really into Shakespeare right now.
My date for tonight has black hair, and I'm into that.
Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
Into
Expressing the operation of multiplication.
Five into three is fifteen.
Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
Into
(mathematics) Expressing the operation of division, with the denominator given first. Usually with "goes".
Three into two won't go.
24 goes into 48 how many times?
Through
Having finished; at completion
She was through with the project.
Into
Investigating the subject (of).
There have been calls for research into the pesticides that are blamed for the decline in bee populations.
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
Into
To the inside of; within. It is used in a variety of applications.
Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
Into
Expressing entrance, or a passing from the outside of a thing to its interior parts; - following verbs expressing motion; as, come into the house; go into the church; one stream falls or runs into another; water enters into the fine vessels of plants.
Through
Doomed to death or destruction.
Into
Expressing penetration beyond the outside or surface, or access to the inside, or contents; as, to look into a letter or book; to look into an apartment.
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
Into
Indicating insertion; as, to infuse more spirit or animation into a composition.
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Into
Denoting inclusion; as, put these ideas into other words.
Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Into
Indicating the passing of a thing from one form, condition, or state to another; as, compound substances may be resolved into others which are more simple; ice is convertible into water, and water into vapor; men are more easily drawn than forced into compliance; we may reduce many distinct substances into one mass; men are led by evidence into belief of truth, and are often enticed into the commission of crimes; she burst into tears; children are sometimes frightened into fits; all persons are liable to be seduced into error and folly.
Through
By means of.
This team believes in winning through intimidation.
Into
Into indicates movement from outside to inside something.
She walked into the room.
Through
In consequence of; as a result of.
Through
(North America) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values.
From 1945 through 1991;
The numbers 1 through 9;
Your membership is active through March 15, 2013
Through
Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
Through
Finished; complete.
They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
Through
Without a future; done for.
After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
Through
No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
She was through with him.
Through
Proceeding from origin to destination without delay due to change of equipment.
The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
Through
(association football) In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
Through
From one side to the other by way of the interior.
The arrow went straight through.
Through
From one end to the other.
Others slept; he worked straight through.
She read the letter through.
Through
During a period of time; throughout
He worked through the night.
Through
To the end.
He said he would see it through.
Through
Completely.
Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
Through
Out into the open.
The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
Through
A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
Through
(obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb.
Through
From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
Through
Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
Through the gate of ivory he dismissedHis valiant offspring.
Through
By means of; by the agency of.
Through these hands this science has passed with great applause.
Material things are presented only through their senses.
Through
Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
Through
Among or in the midst of; - used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
Through
From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
Through
From one end or side to the other; as, to pierce a thing through.
Through
From beginning to end; as, to read a letter through.
Through
To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through.
Through
Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.
Through
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Through
Of a route or journey etc.; continuing without requiring stops or changes;
A through street
A through bus
Through traffic
Through
From one end or side to the other;
Jealousy pierced her through
Through
From beginning to end;
Read this book through
Through
Over the whole distance;
This bus goes through to New York
Through
To completion;
Think this through very carefully!
Through
In diameter;
This cylinder measures 15 inches through
Through
Throughout the entire extent;
Got soaked through in the rain
I'm frozen through
A letter shot through with the writer's personality
Knew him through and through
Boards rotten through and through
Through
Through can imply a process or experience that one undergoes.
He went through a rough patch last year.
Through
Through can mean by means of or via when referring to a method or way.
They met through a mutual friend.
Through
Through, in a temporal context, indicates a span of time from start to finish.
The shop is open Monday through Friday.
FAQs
What does Through typically indicate in a sentence?
Through often indicates movement from one end of something to the other or completion of a process.
Does Into always suggest physical movement?
No, Into can suggest non-physical transitions, such as going into a career or diving into a subject matter.
Can Through imply medium or method of communication?
Yes, Through can imply a method, like sending a message through mail or communicating through sign language.
Can Through denote a period of time?
Yes, Through can denote a period of time, e.g., "Monday through Friday."
How does Into function grammatically?
Into functions primarily as a preposition, indicating direction, transformation, or involvement.
How does Into suggest transition or transformation?
Into implies a change of state or form, like turning into something else or entering a new phase.
Is Into used to describe breaking something into pieces?
Yes, Into can describe segmentation, like breaking something into smaller parts.
Can Into imply an investigation or scrutiny?
Yes, Into can imply an investigation, as in "looking into a matter."
Can Through also imply thoroughness?
Yes, Through can suggest thoroughness, like looking through documents means examining them carefully.
Does Through always imply motion?
Not always. Through can also imply completion or existence over a period (“through the ages”).
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
