Born in/to/into a family, (2025)

Born in/to/into a poor family, h hadto struggle to earn his living.

Hi,
Do in, to, and into fit in the above and mean about the same to you? Thanks.

I agree with Dimcl. I wouldn't say "born in a poor family".

I think you could say "Born in poverty to a poor family, he had to struggle to earn a living."

Dimcl said:

I must disagree with PidginBoy. "Born into" and "Born to" a poor family are the best options. "Born in" isn't usually used in this way. He wasn't "born in" a family, he was "born into" or "born to" a poor family.

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I also agree with Dimcl.
However, 'within' somehow seems a little more acceptable than 'in',
althouth probably not as good as the 2 other options.

My vote goes to "born into a poor family".

He/she wasn't born to a poor family; he/she was born to his/her mother and father.

He/she wasn't born in a poor family; he/she was born in a house/a hospital/poverty, etc.

sound shift said:

He/she wasn't born to a poor family; he/she was born to his/her mother and father.

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"Born to a XYZ" is actually quite common. Google "born to a" for many references.

I used to think that IN is correct but now that I checked it I see

as in this example:Diana was born into an aristocratic family.

Born to a rich/poor family will be my best choice, but I have also heard born into so I wonder how the outcome of this thread will turn out.

Jenny was born to a poor family to a British father and a Dutch mother.

Hi Rachel,

I think "born into" is fine.

You can be born "into" a family, but you might be born "in" a hospital or "on" a street corner, depending on the location and circumstances.

As to your complete sentence, it lacks logic. I think you're looking for a word other than "environment" or a different time description.

In other words, your birth parents cannot be assumed to control your present physical environment. If such is the case, you need to craft the sentence differently.

Rachel85 said:

"Born into a farm family, I do not have a good study environment."
Is "born into" in the setence right? or should it be replaced by
"born in"

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Although I see examples of "born in a(n) [adjective] family" on the Internet via Google, it strikes me as odd. It seems much more usual to me to say "born into a(n) [adjective] family" as in: Born into a farm family. Born into an artistic family. Born into a Catholic family.

Added to previous thread.
Cagey, moderator

I'm personally inclined to say, for instance, "born to a wealthy family" as a non-native speaker, but I have just heard "born in a poor family" in Narcos' official trailer. It may be a matter of style. Perhaps?

It's into or to when "born in(to) adjective + family" but what about this?

He was the last child born in the family.
or
He was the last child born into/to the family.

Ivan_I said:

He was the last child born in the family.

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I don't think "born" and "in" are connected in this sentence. To me this sentence is identical:
In this family, he was the last child born.

I can't evaluate the other sentences, other than to express their meaning (to me):

To me "born into" means "born, and became part of". He was born, and in this way became part of this family.

To me "born to the family" means "the family received". It matches the meaning of "gave to the family".

Good explanation. I understood everything except this one

dojibear said:

To me "born to the family" means "the family received". It matches the meaning of "gave to the family".

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Do you mean "given to the family"?

Yes. I mean that "born to" is like "given to". The word "to" is similar to the "to" before an indirect object.

But that is just my interpretation. All 3 of the examples in post #20 are correct.

He was born to rich parents.
He was born of rich parents.

He was born into rich parents.

[This question has been added to an existing thread on the same topic. DonnyB - moderator]

Hello. Could you, please, help me? Is it possible to say : He was born to a poor family? What is the difference between "born in a poor family" and "born to a poor family"

lingobingo said:

To be born to is usually said in relation to one or both of your parents. For example: He was born to an English mother and a Russian father. Born in can be used in any context in which it makes sense.

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Thank you very much!

heypresto said:

You could also say 'He was born into a poor family'.

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What is the meaning of this phrase?

lingobingo said:

If your parents are Mr & Mrs Brown, you were born into the Brown family. They may have been rich or poor, Russian or American, etc. You would express that by saying you were born into a rich or poor family, a Russian or American family…

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Thank you very much!