word choice - Is it "moved into" or "moved in to"?


I suppose I am confused in general about the use of "into" versus "in to." For this case, though, consider the sentence, "I moved into my apartment today" as opposed to "I moved in to my apartment today." I like the sound of "moved into," but is "moved in" like an idiom that needs to be left in that form to work? Any assistance in sorting out my confusion would be greatly appreciated.



Answer



At http://www.thefreedictionary.com/move+in , the Collins entry for 'move in' is:



move in [AHD says this is a phrasal verb] [so, a set expression]


vb (mainly adverb)



  1. (also preposition) Also (when preposition) move into: to occupy or take possession of (a new residence, place of business, etc.) or help (someone) to do this



I'd prefer them to have



move in


vb (multi-word) (mainly used without an object)



  1. (can also be used in this sense with an object) (the variant move into is usually preferred though when used with an object): to occupy or take possession of (a new residence, place of business, etc) or help (someone) to do this


They moved in last Thursday.


We're moving into a new flat next week.



Notice that 'move into' in We're moving into a new flat next week. has a different meaning from 'move' + 'into' in say The basilisk moved into the side-passage.


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