Check in vs. Check-in (vs. Checkin)

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Danielle McLeod

Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. With degrees in science, English, and literacy, she has worked to create cross-curricular materials to bridge learning gaps and help students focus on effective writing and speech techniques. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices.

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Wondering when and where to use check in? Or is it check-in? Don’t worry; you aren’t the only one confused by this.

The use of these words both with and without a hyphen actually designates the versatility of the phrase in relation to parts of speech: it is either taking on an action or being used as a description of a place or time.

We explain the use of both check in and check-in with plenty of examples, so you know when and how to use the phrase both with, and without the hyphen present. 

Check in, without a hyphen, is an action verb and denotes your action of checking in somewhere or, checking in on something. Check-in, with a hyphen, refers to either a place or time where you do your checking in and can be used either as a noun or adjective.  

Which Came First? Origin of Use 

check in usage

The noun check-in, first appears in the early 1900s, most likely in reference to the hotel and travel industry. A check-in is an area where travelers pay for and get the information they need concerning their stay, or travel on a boat or railroad.

The word also can be used as an adjective to describe the time or place, such as check-in time or check-in desk. 

It makes sense that the verb, to check in, followed on the heels of check-in to describe the action of using a designated check-in area. For example, you would go check in at the front desk, or would be checking in at 5 o’clock. 

When to Use Check In

Check in, sans hyphen, is a verb phrase and is synonymous with registration upon arrival or confirmation of information. The term can also be used to check up on something, such as a date or time. It means that an action is taking place. 

Examples

  • She headed to the desk to check in to the hotel for her three-day business trip stay. 
  • He felt it was essential to check in on his parents since they had been recently ill. 
  • It was vital that they check in by 4 o’clock to secure their requested room. 

When to Use Check-In

Check-in, as explained, can be used as either a phrasal adjective or a noun. This phrase provides information on where or when you will be registering upon arrival or meeting up with others. It also can describe an area designated as a spot specific for checking in. 

Examples

  • He hurried off the train to take advantage of the early check-in time. 
  • Check-in was located at the front desk in the hotel’s lobby. 
  • To reset the room key, he had to bring it back down to the check-in desk. 

Let’s Review

Both check in, and check-in are widely used in relation to one another. Whereas check in describes the action of the phrase, check-in works to designate or tell the time or place.

If you keep getting them confused, consider that the meaning of the word check is a verb. When used as a stand-alone without a hyphen, it is used as an action word.

Once the hyphen is added, it becomes an adjective or a noun to describe objects used for this purpose or the act itself.

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