Basic Details
Word: Within
Part of Speech: Preposition
Meaning: Inside something, or not going past a limit of time, distance or rules. If you finish within an hour, you take an hour or less.
Synonyms: inside
Antonyms: outside, beyond
Word origin: From Old English withinnan, made from with and innan, inside.
How to Spell Within
Syllables: with - in
Tricky part: Students who think of which and while sometimes start it with wh. Others hear the end as a weak -en and write withen, though the last vowel is a clear i.
Watch out for: whithin, withen, withinn
Memory tip: Build it from two tiny words you already trust: with + in. Nothing is added and nothing is dropped where they meet.
Idioms and Phrases
- within reason: inside sensible limits Example: "You can choose any snacks for the trip, within reason."
- within reach: close enough to get or achieve Example: "With two matches left, the trophy is now within reach."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The new metro station is within walking distance of our school.
Example 2: Mumma said the parcel from Jaipur should arrive within three days.
Example 3: Deep within the old fort, the guide showed us a hidden stepwell.
Fun Fact
Within can stand at the end of a sentence with no noun after it. Old shop windows often carried the sign Enquire within, meaning ask inside the shop.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Only one of these compound words is spelt correctly. Choose it:
within / whereever / henseforth / neverthless
a) neverthless
b) henseforth
c) within
d) whereever
Show answer
c) within. With and in join with no change; wherever loses one e at the join, henceforth needs a c, and nevertheless keeps all of never, the and less.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
whithin
a) i
b) h
c) w
d) t
Show answer
b) h. The word opens with plain wi, exactly like with, so the h that follows the w has no place.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word within as used in the sentence:
Visitors to the tiger reserve must stay within the marked trail at all times.
a) outside
b) across
c) inside
d) beyond
Show answer
c) inside. Staying within the trail means keeping inside it; beyond and outside say the opposite.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A teacher says the essay must be within 300 words. Which essay is acceptable?
a) one of 400 words
b) one of 320 words
c) one of 350 words
d) one of 280 words
Show answer
d) one of 280 words
2. If a new bicycle is within your budget, you ____.
a) can afford it
b) need to save for years
c) must borrow money
d) cannot afford it
Show answer
a) can afford it
