What Part of Speech is “IN”
In the English language, the word “in” has multiple functions. It can serve as a noun, a preposition, an adverb, and an adjective.
- Noun
This word can be categorized as a noun, if it is used to mean a leverage or an influential ability. Take for example, this sentence:
Sophie has an in with the president because she is married to the president’s son.
In this sentence, the word serves as a noun which means influence.
Definition:
a. one who is in office or power or on the inside
- Example:
- When you’re trying to get started in the industry, it helps to have an in.
b. influence; pull
- Example:
- They must have an in with the manager.
2. Preposition
Sometimes, the word “in” can also be classified under prepositions, when it is used to express a period of time, indicate a location, show that an object is within something, indicate instrumentality, or specify a particular ratio. Look at the sample sentence below:
The Beatles were very popular in the 1960s.
The word “in” is used as a preposition that indicates the period of time.
Definition:
a. used to indicate location or position within something
- Example:
- The cupcakes are in the container.
b. expressing a period of time during which an event takes place
- Example:
- They met in 1945.
c. used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits
- Example:
- He got wounded in the leg.
d. used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality
- Example:
- The text was written in pencil.
e. used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio
- Example:
- The disease affects three in 100,000 children.
3. Adverb
In some cases, the word “in” is considered as an adverb, if it is used to modify a verb or an adjective. For example, as in the sentence below:
Peter’s dad walked in.
The word “in” modifies the verb”walked,” and is therefore categorized as an adverb.
Definition:
a. to or toward the inside especially of a house or other building
- Example:
- Please come in.
b. to or toward some destination or particular place
- Example:
- He flew in on the first plane.
c. so as to incorporate
- Example:
- Mix in the flour and eggs.
4. Adjective
There are also other times wherein the word “in” is considered as an adjective because it describes a noun or a pronoun. For instance, in the sentence:
Beards are in.
The word “in” is categorized as an adjective that describes the noun “beards.”
Definition:
a. keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable
- Example:
- It’s what the in crowd is wearing this season.
b. extremely fashionable; the in thing to do; the in place to go
- Example:
- Pastels and light colors are in this year.