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Kai
What is the difference between "evolved to' and "evolved into"
"I prescribe to the belief that human beings evolved to their present state." I wonder why this sentence use "evolved to their present state" instead of "evolved into their present state" Thanks in advance.
Feb 21, 2019 3:13 PM
Answers · 3
I hope so. I can't give you a better advice. It's based on my instinct.
However, in these cases, the context supports enough one or the other target:
-- if the person says "---I prescribe the belief that humans evolved TO ..." the focus is on the Evolution Process (not to "the Present State")
-- if I say "--- If salt water is put in the sun, salt transforms INTO crystals", the focus is clearly on the Final Product (not to the process).
ciao
February 22, 2019
Oh I see, Thanks. A*P
February 22, 2019
I think it's a nuance that is centered on the prepositions rather than on the meaning of the verb:
-- if I say "evolved (up) to this state" you should look at all *the progress* that took to that result
-- if I say "evolved into this state" the emphasis is on *the result* instead than to the process that took to it
I hope it helps
February 21, 2019
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Kai
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Hokkien), English, Indonesian, Malay, Russian
Learning Language
Chinese (Cantonese), English, Indonesian, Malay, Russian
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