Prepositional phrases with “in” are incredibly versatile in English, and we often use them to add clarity and detail to our sentences. Understanding how to use these phrases correctly is essential for us to master the subtleties of the English language.
Table of Contents
Understanding Prepositions
Definition of Prepositions
Prepositions are the words that indicate location, time, direction, or introduce an object. They are essential in constructing our sentences with clarity and precision. For example, “in” can indicate a location within a boundary (“in the room”), a point within a time frame (“in January”), or a state or condition (“in shock”).
Purpose of Prepositional Phrases
We use prepositional phrases to provide additional information about time, location, and direction in our sentences. These phrases act as building blocks that modify nouns or verbs, adding context that gives readers a more complete understanding of the what, where, when, and how in our statements. A phrase such as “in the morning” clarifies when something happens, while “in agreement” expresses the state of concurrence.
Structure of Prepositional Phrases with ‘In’
When we construct prepositional phrases with “in,” we follow a specific structure to ensure clarity and proper grammar. Let’s dive into the individual components that make up these phrases.
Firstly, the preposition “in” is the cornerstone of the phrase, indicating a position or location. Following “in,” we include the object of the preposition, which can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund, to provide more details about the location or position.
A proper construction looks like this:
- In + Noun/Pronoun/Gerund
Here are examples to illustrate this:
- In the garden
- In them
- In swimming
These objects can sometimes be part of a larger noun phrase, such as “the big red barn” or “a very long meeting.” In these cases, the prepositional phrase might look like:
- In the big red barn
- In a very long meeting
It’s essential for us to remember that “in” can also be part of phrasal verbs or idiomatic expressions. However, the structure remains consistent; “in” is followed by its object. For example:
- In making the decision
- In answering the tough questions
Common Uses of ‘In’
We often use the preposition ‘in’ to detail when and where something happens. It’s a small word with a big job, effortlessly connecting elements of time and space in our sentences.
Temporal Expressions
In the realm of time, ‘in’ helps us specify moments within days, months, years, and even seasons. Let’s take a look:
- Months: In January, in February, in March, etc.
- Years: In 1999, in 2020, in 2024, etc.
- Seasons: In the spring, in the summer, in the fall, in the winter.
- Times of the Day: In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening (but not ‘in the night’, where we use ‘at’ instead).
Spatial Expressions
When it’s about location, ‘in’ gives us a sense of enclosure or belonging within a larger area or space.
- Geographical Areas: In the city, in the world, in a country.
- Enclosed Spaces: In a room, in a building, in a garden.
- Surface Areas with Boundaries: In a field, in the playground, in the park.
We use ‘in’ to convey that something or someone is contained or within the limits of a specific area.
Prepositional Phrases Examples with IN
Prepositional Phrase | Example Sentence |
---|---|
in time | He arrived just in time to catch the train. |
in the forefront of | She is in the forefront of medical research. |
in demand | Skilled programmers are in demand in the tech industry. |
in focus | The camera lens brings the subject in focus. |
in one’s element | He’s in his element when he’s playing guitar. |
in prison | The convicted criminal spent ten years in prison. |
in season | Strawberries are in season during the early summer. |
in stock | The new model is in stock and available for purchase. |
in touch | Stay in touch with me while you’re traveling. |
in use | The conference room is currently in use. |
in difficulty | The hikers found themselves in difficulty when the trail disappeared. |
in sight | The finish line is in sight; keep going! |
in a deep sleep | The baby was in a deep sleep, undisturbed by the noise. |
in a flash | The opportunity was gone in a flash. |
in a heap | After the party, clothes were left in a heap on the floor. |
in a hurry | I can’t chat right now; I’m in a hurry to get to work. |
in a mess | His apartment was in a mess after the weekend party. |
in a pile | She left the books in a pile on her desk. |
in a sense | In a sense, we are all responsible for the health of the planet. |
in a temper | The child was in a temper because he didn’t get his way. |
in abeyance | The new rules are held in abeyance until further notice. |
in abundance | Wildflowers grow in abundance in the meadow. |
in accordance with | The ceremony proceeded in accordance with tradition. |
in action | The new policy is now in action and will affect all employees. |
in addition to | In addition to her studies, she volunteers at the hospital. |
in advance | Tickets must be purchased in advance. |
in agony | The injured player was in agony on the field. |
in agreement with | The team was in agreement with the coach’s strategy. |
in aid of | The concert was held in aid of the local hospital. |
in all likelihood | In all likelihood, the weather will be sunny for the picnic tomorrow. |
in an instant | Everything changed in an instant after the news broke. |
in an uproar | The crowd was in an uproar after the controversial call by the referee. |
in answer to | In answer to your question, yes, the meeting has been rescheduled. |
in anticipation of | She packed her umbrella in anticipation of rain. |
in arrears | The tenant was in arrears with the rent for several months. |
in awe of | The audience was in awe of the magician’s skills. |
in blossom | The cherry trees are in blossom this time of year. |
in brief | In brief, the report summarizes the main findings of the study. |
in bulk | It’s cheaper to buy rice in bulk. |
in cash | He preferred to pay in cash rather than use a credit card. |
in character | The actor stayed in character even between takes. |
in charge of | She is in charge of organizing the company retreat. |
in code | The message was written in code to keep it secret. |
in collaboration with | The study was conducted in collaboration with the university. |
in combination with | The medication works best in combination with regular exercise. |
in comfort | After a long hike, they rested in comfort at the cozy mountain lodge. |
in command of | The captain is in command of the ship. |
in common | The two friends had a lot in common and became inseparable. |
in comparison with | In comparison with last year, the company’s profits have increased. |
in compensation for | He received a generous sum in compensation for the damage to his property. |
in conclusion | In conclusion, the speaker summarized the key points of her presentation. |
in confidence | She shared her plans in confidence with her closest friend. |
in confinement | The patient was kept in confinement during the recovery period. |
in confusion | The evacuation was conducted in confusion due to the sudden alarm. |
in conjunction with | The training program was developed in conjunction with industry experts. |
in connection with | He was questioned in connection with the ongoing investigation. |
in consequence of | In consequence of the merger, several offices were closed. |
in contact with | The team remained in contact with their stranded colleague via radio. |
in contrast with | In contrast with his outgoing brother, he is very shy. |
in control of | The pilot regained in control of the aircraft after the turbulence. |
in convoy | The trucks traveled in convoy for safety through the desert. |
in custody | The suspect was taken in custody by the police. |
in danger | The endangered species are in danger of extinction. |
in debt | She worked two jobs to get out of debt. |
in decline | The old industry is in decline, giving way to new technologies. |
in defense of | The lawyer spoke in defense of her client. |
in detail | The plan was explained in detail to all team members. |
in disgrace | The official left office in disgrace after the scandal. |
in disguise | The celebrity entered the party in disguise to avoid recognition. |
in disorder | The files were left in disorder after the office move. |
in dispute | The border has been in dispute for many years. |
in distress | The vessel sent out a signal when it was in distress at sea. |
in doubt | The outcome of the game was in doubt until the final whistle. |
in due course | You will receive your exam results in due course. |
in duplicate | Please submit the forms in duplicate. |
in earnest | Once the contract is signed, the project will begin in earnest. |
in effect | The new law is in effect as of January 1st. |
in error | The payment was made in error and will be refunded. |
in essence | In essence, the two products are similar even though they have different brands. |
in excess of | The vehicle was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. |
in exchange for | He offered his collectible cards in exchange for rare comic books. |
in existence | The oldest tree in existence in the park is over 400 years old. |
in fact | In fact, the data shows that our sales have increased by 20%. |
in fairness to | In fairness to Alex, he did try to finish the report on time. |
in favor of | The council voted in favor of the new zoning regulations. |
in fear of | They lived in fear of another earthquake. |
in flames | The building was in flames by the time firefighters arrived. |
in flower | The garden is in flower during the spring, creating a colorful display. |
in full | Please pay the invoice in full within 30 days. |
in future | In future, please check your work for errors before submitting it. |
in gear | Once the project gets in gear, it should proceed quickly. |
in general | In general, the feedback about the new product has been positive. |
in good condition | The used car was still in good condition despite its age. |
in good faith | The agreement was made in good faith by both parties. |
in hand | With the map in hand, they felt confident about their hike. |
in harmony with | The new addition to the house was built in harmony with the original architecture. |
in haste | She packed her suitcase in haste and rushed to the airport. |
in hiding | The witness was in hiding to avoid the media. |
in high spirits | The team was in high spirits after their victory. |
in honor of | A banquet was held in honor of the retiring principal. |
in horror | She watched in horror as the vase shattered on the floor. |
in ink | Sign the contract in ink to ensure it’s legally binding. |
in pencil | The students completed the math test in pencil. |
in isolation | The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the infection. |
in its infancy | The technology is still in its infancy and not widely available. |
in jeopardy | The project was in jeopardy when the lead designer resigned. |
in keeping with | The wedding theme was in keeping with the couple’s love of the beach. |
in labor | She went to the hospital when she was in labor. |
in league with | The villain was in league with the corrupt officials. |
in length | The board discussed the proposal in length before making a decision. |
in line with | The company’s policies are in line with industry standards. |
in love with | He realized he was in love with his best friend. |
in memory of | The monument was erected in memory of the fallen soldiers. |
in mid-air | The basketball player caught the ball in mid-air and scored. |
in mind | Keep in mind that the deadline is this Friday. |
in moderation | It’s okay to indulge in sweets in moderation. |
in mourning | The nation was in mourning after the death of the beloved leader. |
in name | He was the leader in name, but others held the real power. |
in office | The president accomplished several goals while in office. |
in one’s absence | Decisions were made in her absence that she did not agree with. |
in one’s spare time | He enjoys woodworking in his spare time. |
in operation | The new factory has been in operation for six months. |
in opposition to | Many residents are in opposition to the proposed highway. |
in origin | The tradition is French in origin. |
in other words | The situation is complicated, or in other words, we have a big problem. |
in pain | After the fall, he was clearly in pain. |
in Parliament | The bill is currently being debated in Parliament. |
in particular | She has an interest in science, in particular, marine biology. |
in person | You need to submit the application in person at the office. |
in pieces | The vase fell and broke in pieces on the tile floor. |
in place of | She will be acting in place of the manager while he’s on vacation. |
in possession of | The suspect was found in possession of stolen goods. |
in poverty | The charity works to help those living in poverty. |
in practice | In practice, the new system is much more efficient than the old one. |
in preference to | She chose the blue dress in preference to the red one. |
in preparation for | The team was in preparation for the upcoming tournament. |
in principle | In principle, I agree with the idea, but we need to look at the specifics. |
in private | The conversation took place in private, away from the media. |
in progress | Road repairs are in progress, so expect delays. |
in proportion to | The ingredients should be used in proportion to the recipe. |
in public | He rarely shows affection in public. |
in pursuit of | The explorer was in pursuit of ancient artifacts. |
in quantity | The product is now available in quantity for retailers. |
in question | The method in question has been used successfully in other studies. |
in reality | In reality, the situation was not as dire as it seemed. |
in recognition of | She received an award in recognition of her charitable work. |
in relation to | The company’s profits have increased in relation to last year’s figures. |
in reply to | In reply to your request, we have shipped the items today. |
in reserve | The team has a few players in reserve in case of injuries. |
in residence | The artist will be in residence at the university for the semester. |
in respect of | The company is facing charges in respect of environmental violations. |
in response to | In response to customer feedback, we have updated our return policy. |
in retrospect | In retrospect, I would have handled the situation differently. |
in return | He offered his help in return for a share of the profits. |
in revenge for | The attack was carried out in revenge for the earlier assault. |
in reverse | To undo the spell, you must read the words in reverse. |
in ruins | The ancient castle now stands in ruins, a reminder of the past. |
in safety | The hikers reached the cabin in safety before the storm hit. |
in sb’s interest | It’s in your interest to start saving money early for retirement. |
in sb’s opinion | In her opinion, the movie was the best of the year. |
in search of | They went in search of a new adventure. |
in secret | The plans were developed in secret, without the knowledge of the public. |
in self-defense | He claimed he was acting in self-defense when he struck the assailant. |
in settlement of | The payment was made in settlement of the outstanding debt. |
in short | In short, the meeting could have been an email. |
in silence | They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. |
in small change | He paid for the candy in small change. |
in store for | There are many surprises in store for guests at the event. |
in succession | The team won three games in succession. |
in support of | The concert was held in support of the charity. |
in suspense | The audience was left in suspense at the end of the episode. |
in sympathy with | The community was in sympathy with the victims’ families. |
in tears | She was in tears after hearing the sad news. |
in terms of | In terms of efficiency, the new software system is a big improvement. |
in terror | The villagers fled in terror as the volcano erupted. |
in the absence of | In the absence of clear instructions, we used our best judgment. |
in the aftermath | In the aftermath of the storm, many people were left without power. |
in the balance | With the jury still out, his fate hangs in the balance. |
in the case of | In the case of an emergency, call this number. |
in the course of | In the course of the investigation, new evidence came to light. |
in the distance | She could see the lighthouse shining in the distance. |
in the event of | In the event of a fire, use the stairs instead of the elevator. |
in the extreme | His reaction was in the extreme, given the mild criticism he received. |
in the eyes of | In the eyes of the law, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. |
in the flesh | It was exciting to see the celebrity in the flesh. |
in the form of | Assistance came in the form of food and medical supplies. |
in the habit of | He’s in the habit of taking a walk every morning. |
in the interests of | In the interests of safety, please do not run in the corridors. |
in the lead | She’s in the lead for the role in the upcoming play. |
in the light of | In the light of new information, we will need to revise our plans. |
in the long run | In the long run, exercising regularly will benefit your health. |
in the making | The team’s victory was years in the making. |
in the meantime | The movie starts at 9 PM; in the meantime, let’s grab dinner. |
in the midst of | They were in the midst of celebrating when the power went out. |
in the mood for | I’m in the mood for Italian food tonight. |
in the name of | Many atrocities have been committed in the name of progress. |
in the night | The stars shone brightly in the night sky. |
in the open | The secret is now in the open for everyone to know. |
in the process of | We are in the process of updating our computer systems. |
in the right | You’re in the right, and you should stand your ground. |
in the seclusion of | They enjoyed their honeymoon in the seclusion of the mountain cabin. |
in the shade | It’s cooler to sit in the shade during the hot summer days. |
in the space of | He finished the exam in the space of an hour. |
in the wake of | In the wake of the scandal, the CEO resigned. |
in the way of | There is little in the way of entertainment in this small town. |
in the wrong | She apologized after realizing she was in the wrong. |
in theory | In theory, the plan should work perfectly. |
in time for | She arrived just in time for the beginning of the concert. |
in times of | In times of crisis, it’s important to stay calm. |
in town | There’s a new restaurant in town everyone’s talking about. |
in trouble | If you don’t finish your homework, you’ll be in trouble. |
in tune with | The new policies are in tune with the current economic climate. |
in turmoil | The country was in turmoil during the political uprising. |
in turn | Each speaker, in turn, shared their thoughts on the matter. |
in two minds | I’m in two minds about selling the house—it has so many memories. |
in twos | The children lined up in twos to enter the auditorium. |
in uniform | The soldiers were dressed in uniform for the parade. |
in unison | The choir sang in unison, their voices blending beautifully. |
in vain | They waited in vain for a response to their request. |
in view of | In view of the weather forecast, the event will be postponed. |
in vogue | Vintage clothing is in vogue this season. |
in words | She expressed her gratitude in words that touched everyone’s heart. |
List of Prepositional Phrases with IN | Infographic
List of Prepositional Phrases with IN | Infographic 2
List of Prepositional Phrases with IN | Infographic 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common examples of prepositional phrases beginning with the word ‘in’?
Common examples include “in addition to,” “in person,” “in practice,” “in agreement with,” and “in the case of.” These phrases can specify a condition, location, or time.
How can prepositional phrases with ‘in’ be used to enhance sentences?
By using prepositional phrases with ‘in,’ we can provide more detail and context. For example, “in advance” sets a time frame, while “in response to” provides a reason or motivation for an action.
Can you list various types of prepositional phrases that include ‘in’?
Certainly! There are prepositional phrases indicating time like “in the morning,” location such as “in the garden,” and manner with phrases like “in a hurry.” They vary widely in their uses.
What’s the difference between adverbial and adjectival prepositional phrases with ‘in’?
Adverbial prepositional phrases, such as “in silence,” describe how, when, where, or why an action happens. Adjectival prepositional phrases, like “in good condition,” describe a noun or pronoun.