prep
in
uhn
prep
1
Contained by, inside, or within the limits of something — spatially, in time, or in a more abstract sense.
"The keys are in the drawer."
"We'll finish in an hour."
2
Used to say what someone is wearing, what field they work in, or what condition/state they're in.
"She showed up in a red coat."
"He's been in finance for a decade."
adj
1
Fashionable or currently popular.
"Chunky trainers were the in thing that year."
2
Currently batting, in cricket or baseball.
"Their star batter was still in when rain stopped play."
noun
1
A position of access, favor, or influence, especially one that helps you get something done.
"He got the job through an in with the hiring manager."
How to Use In
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe basic word for being inside, within, or part of something — one of English's most overloaded small words, also used for fashion ("in"), a useful connection ("an in"), and cricket/baseball turns at bat.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the noun "an in" (a helpful connection) with the preposition "in" — they look identical but function completely differently in a sentence.
Common pairings
in time
in fashion
have an in with someone
still in (cricket)
Word Forms
more in comparative, inned past tense, ins plural, ins singular, most in superlative
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Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The keys are _____ the drawer.