Turn "in to" or "into" a lonely lane?

Question

I have a sentence I'm writing where I describe making a turn, as I run, into an empty alleyway. Here is how I would like to say it: > I turn *into* a lonely lane... The problem I find is that it may mean that I am changing my direction to run into a lane, or it may suggest that I am becoming a lane -- however unlikely that may be, realistically. Is there a better way to write the sentence without disrupting the flow of my writing? (I understand that I can say, "I *make a turn into* a lonely lane..." but am afraid that that might cause some incontinuity.) For example, could I say this? > I turn *in to* a lonely lane...

Answer 1

Maybe "onto" would make it less confusing, since it doesn't possibly denote "transform" like "into" does. In American English, it would be the more standard choice when coming before "road."

Answer 2

This reminds me of a joke:

Q: When is a car not a car?

A. When it turns into a driveway!

So, you are not alone in your hesitation. Still, to the best of my knowledge, your wording is not incorrect. This source uses an example similar to yours, only it's a dark alley instead of a lonely lane: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/turn+into

Answer 3

I'm sure there are multiple acceptable answers and regional preferences; however, my instincts tell me that you should use 'turn onto a lonely lane'. The phrase 'into' is typically used when you are referring to an enclosed space, such as a car.