The word “in” is one of the most common prepositions in English. It shows position, time, condition, or even inclusion. Simple as it seems, its meaning depends on how it’s used in a sentence. Below are real examples taken from classic texts to show how writers use in—not by rule, but in action.
Real Examples
They were in part peculiar indeed, but I have followed them to each last detail as faithfully as I was able.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
21 words, 108 characters
I trust I give no offence to the companion of my youth, in submitting this proposition to his cooler judgement?
Source: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
20 words, 111 characters
As to the details of his life during these years he was very reticent, in fact he would not talk of them at all.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
24 words, 112 characters
His horsemanship, especially after hounds, was a marvel and delight even in that country of magnificent horsemen.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
17 words, 113 characters
I spent nearly a year prospecting in company with another Confederate officer, Captain James K. Powell of Richmonds.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
18 words, 116 characters
I thought at the time that he was praying, although I never understood that he was in the strict sense of the term a religious man.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
26 words, 131 characters
My last sight of Powell was about three in the afternoon as he entered the shadows of the range on the opposite side of the valley.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
26 words, 131 characters
Left alone in the study, I opened the safe and withdrew the contents of the drawer in which he had told me I would find my instructions.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
27 words, 136 characters
I found the watchman who had discovered him, together with the local police chief and several townspeople, assembled in his little study.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
22 words, 138 characters
The instructions impressed upon me that I must personally see that this was carried out just as he directed, even in secrecy if necessary.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
24 words, 138 characters
His property was left in such a way that I was to receive the entire income for twenty-five years, when the principal was to become mine.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
26 words, 138 characters
Powell, who was a mining engineer by education, stated that we had uncovered over a million dollars worth of ore in a trifle over three months.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
26 words, 143 characters
My first recollection of Captain Carter is of the few months he spent at my father’s home in Virginia, just prior to the opening of the civil war.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
28 words, 146 characters
In submitting Captain Carter’s strange manuscript to you in book form, I believe that a few words relative to this remarkable personality will be of interest.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
26 words, 158 characters
When he returned it was without warning, and I was much surprised to note that he had not aged apparently a moment, nor had he changed in any other outward way.
Source: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
31 words, 160 characters
More examples coming soon.