within vs inside

Both 'within' and 'inside' are prepositions that can be used to indicate location or containment. 'Within' is more formal and is often used in a more abstract or figurative sense, while 'inside' is more commonly used in everyday language to refer to physical spaces. The choice between the two depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 975 views

The preposition 'within' is correct and commonly used in English, especially in formal contexts or when referring to abstract concepts.

"within"

Use 'within' when referring to something located inside a particular area, container, or time frame. It is often used in more formal or abstract contexts.

Examples:

The keys are within the drawer.
The answer lies within yourself.
The event will take place within the next week.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sergeant Scott redeploys within 24 hours.
They could be other planets within range.
These businesses need buttressing within their geographic or technological environment.
Competition within the energy sector is unsatisfactory.
It occurred within a month of death.
Taxable companies may choose any depreciation rate within this range.
The competent authorities may reject such delegation within one month.
An elder needs your diagnosis within the hour.
After first opening use within 35 days.
Eruptions generally occurred within one week after the docetaxel infusion.
The events were spontaneously reversible within 3 months.
These reactions usually disappear within 1-2 days without treatment.
The steady-state response usually occurs within a month.
BeneFIX should be administered immediately or within 3 hours after reconstitution.
We have made progress towards achieving our internal management targets of acknowledging complaints within one week, deciding on their admissibility within one month and closing inquiries within one year.
Death dares weep from within us.
You carry a sophisticated trap within yourself.
Maybe then he can find something within himself.
State business within Sinuessa en Valle.
You know women are forbidden within encampment.

Alternatives:

inside
in
contained in
enclosed in
surrounded by

The preposition 'inside' is correct and commonly used in English, especially in everyday language when referring to physical spaces or objects.

"inside"

Use 'inside' when referring to something located within a physical space or container. It is more commonly used in everyday language and is less formal than 'within'.

Examples:

The cat is inside the box.
Let's go inside the house.
She found her keys inside her bag.

Show examples from the web [+]

The plans are stored inside this R-2 unit.
Tiny box, huge room inside.
Everybody inside, inside, inside.
Get inside, get her inside, get her inside, get her inside.
But inside the glasses are these slide photographs.
Removing Ashley from that bank will benefit everyone inside.
This bomb has a tiny gyroscope inside.
And the two manipulators are inside.
Another anonymous tip claiming Lisa's inside.
Only acorns and terrorists wear sunglasses inside.
Unfortunately, the complex inside is shielded against beaming technology.
Hands and feet inside the tram.
RUSSELL: I want to look inside.
Now Jimmy's somewhere inside Barrett-Dunne.
Probably more guys with guns inside.
The girl is trapped inside her own psyche.
Which means our killer is probably someone inside the competition.
Beowulf steps cautiously inside... and finds the monster asleep.
But inside that room was peace.
There's been no movement inside since.

Alternatives:

within
in
contained in
enclosed in
surrounded by

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within vs inside

"within"

"inside"

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