English teachers, what's the difference between 'into' and 'in to'?

Question

I am confused 

Answer 1

The difference is the context. Into is a preposition that shows what something is within or inside (or has transformed). As separate words, in and to sometimes simply wind up next to each other.

I am turning into a recluse: I am frequently not in to visitors 

Answer 2

Nobody  has to be an English teacher to make this clear.

She went into the garden and sat down.

She went in to prune the roses.

Answer 3

You can’t go into vote but you can go in to. 

Answer 4

I'm going in -- in order -- to fix dinner.

I'm going into the shed to get a rake.

Answer 5

When you enter something you go into it. This can be physical (into the house) or figurative (go into business). You separate the two words when they are part of different phrases. I dropped in to see how you're doing. Don't give in to temptation.

Answer 6

That is confusing, but think of this.  Are you going to end up inside or in the object?  If you are, then "into" would be correct.  Otherwise, "in to" would be the proper choice.

EX:  "I'm going into the store."  I'll be inside that store.  "I'm going in to talk to the store owner."  I'll not be inside the store owner.  Here's a less obvious one.  "He's going into shock."  In this case the victim is in a state of shock. 

Answer 7

Into is to go inside or within. Since English is a language of context using a pair of words is difficult to describe. You separate them when the "to" pairs with the words that follow it.

I'm going into the cave.

I'm going in to explore the cave.

I'm going in to see what is there.

I'm going in to the center.

The "to" pairs with the next words.

"To" can be near or touching instead of within.

Full sentences can show the difference.

into the store

in to buy bread