in/into

[Jason72]

Jason: I think it would be awkward to open a new topic because of this.

Maybe on ''ask-teacher'', but perhaps somewhere else...

[kohyoongliat]

Yoong Liat,
For me, "into" has more of an in-depth sense of looking. I could "peer" (stare hard) into the mirror, but not in it.

If I just want to see see if I have spinach in my teeth, I'd take a quick glance in the mirror. If I wanted to see if the stress I've been under is showing in my eyes, I'd peer into the mirror.

I notice you didn't use the word 'looked' which is in my sentence, which is reproduced below:
She looked in/into the mirror.
Can I say 'I looked hard into the mirror'?

[Barb_D]

Yes. I looked in the mirror to check my lipstick.
I looked hard into the mirror to try to determine whether I really resembed the old, worn-out woman I felt like at the moment.

[kohyoongliat]

[quote=Barb_D;180232]Yes. I looked in the mirror to check my lipstick.
I looked in the mirror to check my lipstick.

I looked in the mirror to check my lipstick.
I looked hard into the mirror to try to determine whether I really resembed the old, worn-out woman I felt like at the moment.

Can I conclude from your sentences that it should be "I looked in the mirror"? However, if 'into' is used an adverb is required.

Many thanks.

[Barb_D]

An adverb isn't required, but the use of "into" instead of "in" implies a more intense form of looking. That's why l used "peered" in my first example, and you suggested "looked hard" so I used it.

[kohyoongliat]

Thanks.

[Harry Smith]

An adverb isn't required, but the use of "into" instead of "in" implies a more intense form of looking. That's why l used "peered" in my first example, and you suggested "looked hard" so I used it.

If you ask me which of these two prepositions do you prefer I'll answer "look into the mirror. I never look in the mirror. I always look into it.

[Jason72]

If you ask me which of these two prepositions do you prefer I'll answer "look into the mirror. I never look in the mirror. I always look into it.

Hm... are you narcissistic? I'm joking... :D But, for instance, when you go out and get another glance of how do you look? That's: I've looked in the mirror to see if everything's ok, as it was.