English Phrasal Verbs With “into”

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially for learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. A phrasal verb consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both), which together create a meaning different from the original verb. In this article, we will explore common phrasal verbs that include the preposition “into”, their meanings, and examples to help you understand and use them effectively.

1. Run into

Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly or encounter something by chance.

I ran into my old friend at the supermarket yesterday.
She ran into some difficulties while working on the project.
We ran into heavy traffic on our way to the airport.

2. Look into

Meaning: To investigate or examine something carefully.

The police decided to look into the mysterious disappearance.
Can you look into this issue and find a solution?
The committee will look into the complaints from the residents.

3. Get into

Meaning: To become involved in something (a habit, activity, or situation).

He got into trouble for skipping classes.
She recently got into yoga and loves it.
They got into an argument over a small misunderstanding.

4. Break into

Meaning: To enter a place forcibly (often illegally) or to suddenly start doing something (e.g., laughter, song).

Thieves broke into our house while we were on vacation.
The audience broke into applause after the performance.
She broke into tears when she heard the sad news.

5. Bump into

Meaning: Similar to “run into,” meaning to meet someone unexpectedly.

I bumped into my neighbor at the coffee shop.
He bumped into his ex-girlfriend at the party.
We bumped into each other while traveling in Spain.

6. Turn into

Meaning: To change or transform into something else.

The caterpillar eventually turned into a butterfly.
Her hobby turned into a successful business.
The peaceful protest turned into a violent riot.

7. Dive into

Meaning: To start doing something enthusiastically or deeply engage in an activity.

She dived into her studies as soon as the semester began.
He dived into the new book and finished it in one day.
Let’s dive into the details of the project.

8. Tap into

Meaning: To access or make use of a resource or potential.

The company wants to tap into the Asian market.
She tapped into her creativity to write the novel.
We need to tap into renewable energy sources.

9. Talk into

Meaning: To persuade someone to do something.

He talked me into joining the gym with him.
She talked her parents into letting her study abroad.
They talked the manager into giving them a discount.

10. Fall into

Meaning: To start doing something unintentionally or to be categorized in a certain way.

He fell into teaching after his original career didn’t work out.
This problem falls into the category of technical issues.
She fell into a deep sleep after the long journey.

Exercises

Test your understanding of these phrasal verbs with the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list below to complete the sentences.

run into / look into / get into / break into / turn into

The police will _____ the case to find out what happened.
She didn’t mean to _____ an argument, but it just happened.
The old factory has _____ a modern art gallery.
I hope we don’t _____ bad weather during our trip.
Burglars _____ their house last night and stole some valuables.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct phrasal verb with “into.”

She met her childhood friend unexpectedly at the mall. (run into)
The government is investigating the corruption scandal. (look into)
He persuaded me to go to the concert with him. (talk into)
The peaceful demonstration became a violent clash. (turn into)
They accessed the hidden potential of the team. (tap into)

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Write three original sentences using any of the phrasal verbs discussed above.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
Run into	Meet someone unexpectedly
Look into	Investigate
Get into	Become involved in
Break into	Enter forcibly or start suddenly
Turn into	Transform

By practicing these phrasal verbs regularly, you will improve your fluency and sound more like a native speaker. Keep using them in conversations and writing to reinforce your learning!