Learn English – When should I use “the way” and when should I use “in the way”

adverbial-phrasesdifferenceword-usage

I was never allowed to do things the way I wanted to do them.
We have to make it work in the way that we want it to.

What's the difference between "the way" and "in the way"?

When should I use "the way" and when should I use "in the way"?

Best Answer

To stay clear, I'd prefer not to use in the way because it also means an impediment i.e. something coming in between. Using this phrase would imply its use more as an idiom.

"I cannot dance because the table is in the way."

Hence, to avoid its idiomatic use, in those sentences, I'd prefer using the way.

Use in the way if you want to convey that something comes in between and prefer ...the way... that would convey the message without any ambiguity.