Through vs. Into — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 14, 2024
"Through" indicates movement from one side to another within something, while "into" describes movement from outside to the inside of something.
Difference Between Through and Into
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Through" is used to express movement within a bounded space, suggesting a passage from one end or side to another; on the other hand, "into" implies entry into a space or object, emphasizing the transition from outside to an interior point.
When describing time, "through" can denote a duration, covering a continuous period, such as "Monday through Friday," whereas "into" can be used to indicate a point in time when something extends or continues, as in "late into the night."
In the context of transformations, "through" might be used to denote the process by which something changes, like "through a series of events," while "into" typically indicates the result of a change, such as "transformed into a butterfly."
"Through" often suggests a medium or an intermediary in communication or perception, such as "heard through the grapevine," while "into" can indicate a focused involvement or deep engagement, such as "looking into a matter."
With transportation or motion, "through" implies passing directly within and out of a medium or area, like "driving through a tunnel," in contrast, "into" signifies entering a specific place or context, like "walking into a room."
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Comparison Chart
Spatial Use
Movement within or among something
Entry from outside to inside
Temporal Use
Duration over a period
Point extending into a period
Transformation
Process of change
Result of change
Communication
Through a medium
Engagement or investigation into
Motion
Passing within and out
Entering a specific place or state
Compare with Definitions
Through
From one end or side of something to the other.
The road goes through the forest.
Into
To the inside or interior of.
She walked into the room.
Through
By the agency or instrumentality of.
The message was delivered through a friend.
Into
Expressing movement towards a new state.
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Into
Involving an interest or engagement.
He's really into chess these days.
Through
Among or between; in the midst of
A walk through the flowers.
Into
To the inside or interior of
Went into the house.
Through
By way of
Climbed in through the window.
Into
To the activity or occupation of
Recent college graduates who go into banking.
Through
By the means or agency of
Bought the antique vase through a dealer.
Into
To the condition, state, or form of
Dishes breaking into pieces.
Changed into a butterfly.
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
So as to be in or be included in
Parties entering into an agreement.
Wrote a new character into the play.
Through
Here and there in; around
A tour through France.
Into
(Informal) Interested in or involved with
They are into vegetarianism.
Through
From the beginning to the end of
Stayed up through the night.
Into
To a point within the limits of a period of time or extent of space
Well into the week.
Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Into
In the direction of; toward
Looked into the distance.
Pointed into the sky.
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
Into
Against
Crashed into a tree.
Through
Past and without stopping for
Drove through a red light.
Into
As a divisor of
The number 3 goes into 9 three times.
Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
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 one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went 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
From beginning to end; completely
I read the article once through.
Into
Against, especially with force or violence.
The car crashed into the tree.
I wasn't careful, and walked into a wall.
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
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
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Into
Indicates division or the creation of subgroups or sections.
A cow's stomach is divided into four chambers.
Through
To a conclusion or an accomplishment
See a matter through.
Into
After the start of.
About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot reported a fire on board.
Through
Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed
A through street.
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
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Into
Expressing the operation of multiplication.
Five into three is fifteen.
Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
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
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
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 finished; at completion
She was through with the project.
Into
To the inside of; within. It is used in a variety of applications.
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
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
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
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
Doomed to death or destruction.
Into
Indicating insertion; as, to infuse more spirit or animation into a composition.
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
Into
Denoting inclusion; as, put these ideas into other words.
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
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
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Into
Indicating a point reached over time.
The project continued well into 2022.
Through
By means of.
This team believes in winning through intimidation.
Into
Toward the direction of.
She stared into the distance.
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
Continuing in time towards completion.
He worked through the night.
Through
By means of; via.
She succeeded through hard work.
Through
During; from the beginning to the end of.
The store is open Monday through Friday.
Common Curiosities
Can "through" indicate a duration of time?
Yes, "through" can indicate an ongoing period, such as "Monday through Friday."
How do "through" and "into" differ in communication contexts?
"Through" often relates to the means of communication, whereas "into" suggests an in-depth investigation or engagement.
How is "into" used to describe transformation?
It is used to indicate the result of a change from one state to another.
How does "through" relate to processes?
It often describes the medium or the continuous stages of a process.
What does "into" signify in terms of motion?
It describes the action of moving from the outside to the inside of a space.
Is "into" used in physical transitions only?
No, it can also describe transitions into states, interests, or new conditions.
What does "through" imply in spatial terms?
It indicates movement from one side of an area or object to the other.
What type of motion does "through" typically imply?
It implies a passing or continuous movement within and out of a place or medium.
Can "into" be used to describe time?
Yes, especially to indicate something that extends or occurs until a certain point in time.
What distinguishes "into" in spatial use from "through"?
"Into" focuses on the movement from outside to an interior, unlike "through," which involves a traversal within a space.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
