Be Accepted To or Be Accepted Into – Which Is Correct?

One question that often comes up is whether the right expression is “be accepted to” or “be accepted into”. In this article, both expressions will be explained. We will also find out which expression is correct, when to use them, and how to use them correctly in sentences. 

Be Accepted To or Be Accepted Into – Which Is Correct?

Both “be accepted to” and “be accepted into” are correct. They are both used when the speaker means to say that they have been admitted into something (usually a program/school/degree) that they have previously applied for. They can be used interchangeably in sentences.

accepted to or into

“Be accepted to” and “be accepted into” are both grammatically correct. The only difference between them is the use of “to” and “into. However, this difference is just a surface difference. “To” is a short form for “into”, which is used mostly in speech rather than in writing. It does not change the meaning of the words. 

When people use the expressions “be accepted to” or “be accepted into”, they are implying that they have previously applied for a position and they have now been admitted into that position. This could be a program, a degree, a school, or sometimes, a job.  

Since both expressions have the same meaning and are used in the same manner, they can be used interchangeably in sentences. This means that where it is correct for you to use the expression “be accepted to”, it is also correct to use “be accepted into”. This will not change the meaning of the sentence, nor will it make the sentence incorrect. 

Be Accepted To

The expression “be accepted to” means that a person has been admitted into a position they have applied for in the past. Usually, it is used in reference to an educational setting, that is, a degree, a school, or any other place of learning. It is a grammatically correct expression. 

Here are some examples of how “be accepted to” can be used in a sentence:

  1. My daughter called me yesterday to tell me that she has been accepted to college. I’m so happy for her!
  2. I just received an email saying that I will be accepted into the program I applied for in June. 
  3. We will have pizza, cake and a bottle of wine for dinner to celebrate because I have no doubt that you will be accepted to the club.
  4. If you study hard for the entrance exam, you will be accepted to the program next fall. 
  5. Despite my excellent results, I’m not sure if I will be accepted to the post-graduate program I applied for.
  6. I can guarantee that all the students who attend this lecture will be accepted to Harvard Law School. 
  7. Even if you are not sure if you will be accepted to a good university, you must work hard to get excellent grades. 

Be Accepted Into

The expression “be accepted into” means that a person will be admitted into a position that they have earlier applied for. The use of “into” here does not change the meaning. You use this expression when you are talking about a degree, program, college, university, or any other educational system. 

It can also be used to refer to a group or club. It is grammatically correct and can be used either in writing or in speech. 

The following sentences are examples of how to use “be accepted into” in a sentence:

  1. It would be a dream come true for me to be accepted into the program I recently applied to. 
  2. Students who will be accepted into their dream universities are the ones who study hard. 
  3. To increase the chances that you will be accepted into college, you must ensure that you fill out your application properly.
  4. Only five students in this class will be accepted into the Master’s program offered by the faculty. 
  5. I can’t wait to be accepted into college so that I can finally leave home and have freedom.
  6. There will be a meeting tomorrow to decide which of the athletes will be accepted into the team. 
  7. Although many students have passed the exams, only those with the highest grades will be accepted into med school.

Which Is Used The Most?

This Google Ngram Viewer graph shows that the expression “be accepted into” is used more frequently than “be accepted to”. The reason for this change could be that the word “into” is now getting more recognition as an alternative form of the word “to”.

accepted to or into usage

Is It Be Accepted Into or Be Accepted Onto? 

“Be accepted into” and “be accepted onto” are both are correct. They both mean that a person has been admitted into a program or group, especially if they have previously applied for such a position. They can be used interchangeably in sentences.

The only difference between them is the tone they carry when used in a sentence.

When you use “be accepted into”, you generally sound informal compared to when you use “be accepted onto”. “Be accepted onto” is rather formal and is mostly found in British English. 

However, the tone does not change the meaning of either of the sentences. They can replace each other in a sentence. Take a look at the following sentences, for example:

  • Tim promised your daughter that she would soon be accepted into the team.
  • Tim promised your daughter that she would soon be accepted onto the team. 

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