Embed IN,INTO, ON or ONTO? Which is the correct preposition?

Vocabulary / By

We usually use the preposition “in” with the verb ”to embed” when we use the verb to show that something is deeply attached to something else. When we talk about embedding something in the context of a website, we can use “in”,”into”,”on” or “onto”.

Examples:

Music is really embedded in our culture.

You need to embed the video onto the website. 

In the first example, you can only use “in” but in the second example, you could easily change the preposition to “into” without any change in meaning.

Embed In

The meaning of “embed” is to attach oneself  within the boundary of something else. This is a perfect example of when we use the preposition ”in” in English. 

Examples:

Democracy is embedded in our society. 

I really feel embedded in the culture.

Embed On

We also use “embed” with technology. The meaning shares the same idea by generally including one piece of technology within another one(though this technology is usually software and not hardware). 

The most common example of this is embedding a video on a website. We usually say “embed in the code” or “embed on the website”.

Embed Into and Onto

We add the preposition “to” to “in” and “on” to show movement from one place to another. This makes perfect sense with the example of the video because we usually move the video from one place to another.

Example:

You need to embed your Youtube videos onto your website to engage your website viewers.

Embed Within

The preposition “within” means something very similar to “in” but emphasizes “inside the boundaries of”.

The rock is embedded within the ice. 

Final Thoughts

The most common preposition with “embed” is “in” when you mean that something is ingrained in something else. We also use “embed on a website” or “ embed in the code” for technology. 

Conor
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