Lea registers for her flight online; Omar completes an arrival process at a desk. Mina hands over a suitcase for transport. The object and preposition distinguish these uses of check in.

The idea

Use check in for a flight and check in at a hotel. For luggage, say check in the suitcase / check the suitcase in, but check it in. The verb has two words; check-in is a noun or modifier, as in check-in desk.

Examples

  • Lea checked in online for her evening flight.
  • We checked in at the hotel after lunch.
  • Omar is checking in at the front desk.
  • Mina checked in one suitcase.
  • Mina checked one suitcase in.
  • It is my large suitcase; I want to check it in.

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Watch out

Checking in for a flight is not boarding the aircraft. It also does not necessarily include handing over luggage: you can check in without checking a bag in. Notice whether the traveller checks in or checks an object in.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. Lea checked in ___ her flight. (for / at)

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    for

    For introduces the flight for which Lea completes registration.

  2. Choose the correct option. We checked in ___ the hotel. (at / for)

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    at

    At names the hotel where the arrival process takes place.

  3. Choose the correct option. I want to check ___. (it in / in it)

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    it in

    The suitcase becomes it, which must come between check and in.

Use it today

Describe someone checking in online, someone at a hotel and someone handing over a suitcase. Use for, at and a pronoun before in in separate sentences.