Search from various English teachers...
Elena
We didn't manage to get in/into the new restaurant as every table was booked. In or into? According to the textbook the correct answer is into. I don't really understand why.. Can anybody explain? What's the difference?
Feb 3, 2025 8:07 AM
Answers · 4
Into , but I don't know why it just sounds correct😂.
February 3, 2025
We didn’t manage to get to the new restaurant as 
. (We were planning to go but failed) We didn’t get to go to the new restaurant as 
 (similar) We didn’t get a table/reservation at the new restaurant. (Talking about it being booked is redundant) But ‘into’ is better than ‘in’ because one of the meanings of ‘getting into’ is obtaining the ability to go somewhere desirable. That fits this case. I got into Stanford. I got into the game because my Dad has season tickets. Let’s see if we can get into the restaurant. Maybe there was a cancellation.
February 4, 2025
I would say "We didn't manage to get in at the new restaurant." "At" is the preposition we use to indicate places or addresses. When you say it this way, "in" is an adverb, not a preposition. If you said "We got in the new restaurant", then "in" would be a preposition, and the sentence would mean you got inside the physical building. That is not the thought you want to express. You could also say "We didn't get a table in (or "at") the new restaurant." That use of "in" as a preposition makes good sense because the tables really are inside the physical building.
February 3, 2025
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!