In to vs. Into: Fun with Phrasal Verbs

This one made me laugh. Brian writes:

Hey Snarky. I was out sick for a few days and so my teacher and I e-mailed back and forth about some assignments.

Me: I'm pretty sure I already turned that paper into you.
Her: So now there are two of me? Ha ha!

What the heck is she talking about?  

Your teacher, a grammar geek after my own heart, has made a joke about phrasal verbs.

Where did your e-mail go wrong? You used the wrong preposition with an idiom. An idiom is a phrase whose definition can't be derived from the meanings of the words it contains.

What you wrote: I'm pretty sure I already turned that paper into you.
What you should have written: I'm pretty sure I already turned that paper in to you.

Quick rules:

• When a  preposition is an integral part of a phrasal verb, also known as a two-word verb, then don't consider it a preposition; consider it part of the verb. Keep phrasal verbs intact.

The phrasal verb 'to turn in' means to submit. In is part of the verb 'turn in'  and to is the preposition. Turn your paper in to your teacher. Even better: Turn in your paper to your teacher. With that wording, the phrasal verb is kept together.

On the other hand, this is incorrect: Turn your paper into your teacher. Abracadabra! Your paper is now your teacher. Why? Because 'to turn into' is another phrasal verb meaning to transform, as if by magic.

Your teacher made a joke. Laugh and learn.

In to vs. Into, On to vs. Onto: All About the Verb

Carla writes:

Hi Snarky! Would you please run through when to use in to and when to use into? I also mix up on to and onto. Thank you!

Sure thing, Carla. This question tends to crop up only when we're writing, since both options sound identical in spoken English. Sometimes it's about the preposition. But more often, it's about the verb.

Quick rules:

• There should generally be only one preposition per phrase. 
• Use the prepositions into and onto to indicate movement from one place to another. I stepped into the room. He stepped onto the podium. She jumped into the pool. I tossed my book onto the desk.
• You can often use into and onto interchangeably with in and on, which are also prepositions. She jumped in the pool. I tossed my book on the desk. In both sentences, the sense of movement is obvious through context.
• If the preposition is an integral part of a phrasal verb, also known as a two-word verb*, then don't consider it a preposition; consider it part of the verb. Keep phrasal verbs intact.
  
  
  
  1. Correct: The robbers will break in to the bank at 6pm. The phrasal verb is 'break in,' meaning to enter without permission. In is part of the verb and the preposition is to.
     Incorrect: The robbers will break into the bank at 6pm. The phrasal verb has been corrupted.
  2. Correct: I'll look into this matter before the end of the day. The phrasal verb 'to look into' means to investigate.
     Incorrect: I'll look in to this matter before the end of the day. The back-to-back prepositions in this phrase signals the error.
  3. Correct: Turn your paper in to your teacher. The phrasal verb 'to turn in' means to submit. In is part of the verb and to is the preposition.
     Even better: Turn in your paper to your teacher. The phrasal verb is kept together.
     Incorrect: Turn your paper into your teacher. Shazam! Your paper is now your teacher. 'To turn into' is another phrasal verb meaning to transform. D'oh, that's not what you meant.
  4. Correct: I am really into alternative music. The phrasal verb 'to be into' means to be passionate about.
     Incorrrect: I am really in to alternative music. The double preposition is the clue that there is an error.