Introduction:
In the English language, there are many prepositions that are used to show the relationship between the objects in the sentence. Two of the most commonly used prepositions are ‘into’ and ‘onto’. These are two of the prepositions that are often confused with each other by many students for several reasons. In this article, we will discuss the difference between the prepositions ‘into’ and ‘onto’.
Definition and Explanation of Into:
The preposition ‘into’ is typically used to show motion toward the inside of a place, thing, or surface. It is used to indicate that an object is moving from a location outside of something to a location inside of it. For example, “She went into the kitchen to get a glass of water.” In this sentence, ‘into’ is used to indicate the movement from a location outside the kitchen to a location inside the kitchen.
Another way to understand the use of ‘into’ is that it is used to indicate a change of state or transformation. For example, “The caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.” In this sentence, ‘into’ is used to show the change from one form to another.
Definition and Explanation of Onto:
On the other hand, the preposition ‘onto’ is used to show motion towards or on the top of something. It describes the act of placing something on a surface or object. For example, “She placed the book onto the table.” In this sentence, ‘onto’ is used to indicate the action of placing the book on the surface of the table.
The use of ‘onto’ can also indicate various actions such as jumping or climbing on, clinging on, or holding on to a surface or object. For example, “The cat jumped onto the fence.” In this sentence, ‘onto’ is used to indicate the movement of the cat from the ground to the top of the fence.
Comparison between ‘Into’ and ‘Onto’:
While both prepositions are used to describe motion, they have different uses and meanings in the language. The main difference between the two prepositions is the direction of motion. ‘Into’ implies motion towards the inside of something, while ‘onto’ implies motion towards the surface of something.
Another difference is that ‘into’ describes a more decisive or intentional action, while ‘onto’ describes a less specific or less deliberate action. For example, when we say “She fell into the pool” it sounds more like on-purpose action than “She fell onto the pool”.
Also, ‘into’ is used as a preposition to describe situations of change or transformation. When we use ‘onto,’ it implies that the destination is already known or intended.
Examples of the use of ‘Into’:
1. I walked into the room to find my keys.
2. The bird flew into the tree.
3. She jumped into the pool to cool off.
4. His pencil rolled into the crack between the desk and the wall.
5. The football player ran into the endzone to make a touchdown.
Examples of the use of ‘Onto’:
1. I placed the vase onto the table.
2. The monkey climbed onto the tree branch.
3. He jumped onto his motorcycle and drove away.
4. The cat leaped onto the sofa to take a nap.
5. The firefighter climbed onto the roof of the burning building.
FAQs about ‘Into’ and ‘Onto’:
Q. Can we use ‘into’ and ‘onto’ interchangeably?
A. No, we cannot use ‘into’ and ‘onto’ interchangeably because they have different meanings and implications. Using them interchangeably could confuse the reader about the intended motion of the object.
Q. Can we use ‘into’ or ‘onto’ after the verb ‘put’?
A. Yes, we can use ‘into’ or ‘onto’ after the verb ‘put’ depending on the intended motion of the object. For example, “I put the book onto the shelf” or “He put the tea bag into the cup.”
Q. Can we use ‘onto’ to indicate the motion inside?
A. No, we cannot use ‘onto’ to indicate the motion inside. We use ‘into’ for such situations.
Q. Can we use ‘into’ and ‘onto’ with non-physical things?
A. Yes, we can use ‘into’ and ‘onto’ with non-physical things. For example, ‘She got into debt’ or ‘He got onto the company’s board of directors.’
Conclusion:
In summary, the prepositions ‘into’ and ‘onto’ are two commonly used prepositions in the English language. They have different meanings and implications depending on the intended motion of the object. Understanding the difference between the two prepositions will help you use them accurately in your writing and speaking.