login (log in)

'Log in' is the verb: the action of accessing an account. 'Login' is a noun or adjective: the credential, page, or label. Mixing them-e.g., writing "Please login to your account"-is a common slip that reads as unpolished and can confuse readers.

Quick answer

Use "Please log in" when asking someone to perform the action. Use "login" only as a noun or adjective (for example, "your login" or "the login page").

'Please log in to your account.' - correct (verb).
'Your login is incorrect.' - correct (noun).
Quick rewrites: 'Please log in to continue.' or 'Log in to continue.'

Core rule: verb vs noun

If the word names an action, use two words: log in. If it names a thing (credential, page, label), use one word: login.

Verb: 'Please log in to your account.'
Noun: 'Enter your login and password.'
Adjective: 'Click the login button.'

Grammar note: 'log in' is a separable phrasal verb

As a separable phrasal verb, 'log in' can split: 'log in to the system' or 'log into the system' are both used. When the object is a pronoun, keep the verb separate: 'log me in', never 'login me'.

Correct: 'I need to log in to my email.'
Also acceptable: 'I need to log into my email.'
Correct with pronoun: 'Can you log me in?'

Spacing and hyphenation

Use two words for the verb: 'log in'. Use one word for nouns and adjectives: 'login page', 'login credentials'. Hyphenated 'log-in' is uncommon and usually unnecessary unless a specific style guide requires it.

'Please log in now.' - verb → two words.
'The login page timed out.' - noun/adjective → one word.
Avoid 'log-in' unless your house style calls for it.

Real usage and tone: UI copy, emails, and conversation

UI labels often shorten text; both 'Log in' and 'Login' appear on buttons. For sentences and instructions, prefer the verb form: 'Please log in to continue.' In formal writing keep the verb separate; casual chat may be forgiving but should still use 'log in' as the verb.

UI button: 'Log in' (keeps the action feel) or 'Login' (compact label).
Instruction: 'Please log in before the meeting.'
Casual: 'Can you log in and check?' - use the verb.

Try your own sentence

Read the whole sentence and ask: am I asking someone to do something (action) or naming a thing? Context usually gives the correct form.

Examples: realistic wrong/right pairs for work, school, and casual use

Natural examples you can copy. Each wrong line is followed by a correct rewrite.

Work - Wrong: Please login to the company VPN before the meeting.
Work - Right: Please log in to the company VPN before the meeting.
Work - Wrong: Please login to the sales dashboard before the call.
Work - Right: Please log in to the sales dashboard before the call.
Work - Wrong: Click 'Please login to continue' on the intranet.
Work - Right: Click 'Please log in to continue' on the intranet.
School - Wrong: Please login to the student portal to see the grades.
School - Right: Please log in to the student portal to see your grades.
School - Wrong: You must login to submit the assignment.
School - Right: You must log in to submit the assignment.
School - Wrong: Please login to Canvas before starting the quiz.
School - Right: Please log in to Canvas before starting the quiz.
Casual - Wrong: Please login to my Netflix so I can watch the show.
Casual - Right: Please log in to my Netflix so I can watch the show.
Casual - Wrong: Hey, can you login to the group chat?
Casual - Right: Hey, can you log in to the group chat?
Casual - Wrong: Please login to your phone and check the photo.
Casual - Right: Please log in to your phone and check the photo.
Wrong: Your log in is incorrect.
Right: Your login is incorrect.
Wrong: I cannot login into the account.
Right: I cannot log in to the account.
Right: I cannot log into the account.

Rewrite help: three quick patterns to fix your sentence

Use this quick checklist: 1) Is it an instruction (verb)? 2) Is it naming a thing (noun/adjective)? 3) Is the object a pronoun? Then apply one of these templates.

Instruction/verb: "Please log in to [object]." → "Please log in to your account."
Noun/adjective: "your login" or "the login page" → "Update your login details."
Pronoun object: "log me in" or "log them in" → "Can you log me in?"

Rewrite:
Wrong: "Please login to the portal." →
Right: "Please log in to the portal."
Rewrite:
Wrong: "Your log in expired." →
Right: "Your login expired."
Rewrite:
Wrong: "Please login into my account." →
Right: "Please log in to my account."

Memory trick

Remember: action = two words. If you're telling someone to do something, treat 'log in' like other phrasal verbs such as 'turn on' or 'check out.' If it's a thing you can name or own, run it together: login.

Action? Two words (log in).
Thing/page/credential? One word (login).
Pronoun after the verb? Separate it: 'log me in.'

Similar mistakes to watch for

Other sign-in verbs follow the same pattern: sign in vs signin, log on vs logon, check in vs check-in. Generally, use two words for verbs and one word for nouns - but check your organization's style guide for exceptions.

'sign in' (verb) vs 'signin' or 'sign-in' (noun/adjective).
'log on' (verb) vs 'logon' (noun/older form).
'check in' (verb) vs 'check-in' (noun/adjective) in travel contexts.

Wrong: Please signin to your account.
Right: Please sign in to your account.

FAQ

Is "Please login to" grammatically incorrect?

Yes, when used as a verb it is incorrect. The correct phrasing is "Please log in to..." unless you're using 'login' as a noun ("your login").

Can I write "log into" instead of "log in to"?

"Log into" is common and natural. Some style guides prefer "log in to" because 'in' is a particle. Both are usually understood; choose the form your style guide recommends.

When is "login" acceptable?

Use 'login' when it functions as a noun or adjective: "Enter your login," "the login page," "login credentials." Do not use it as the verb.

Should UI text use "Login" or "Log in"?

Either appears on buttons. 'Log in' emphasizes action and matches sentence form; 'Login' is compact as a label. Pick one and keep it consistent across the interface.

Why does a grammar checker flag "Please login to"?

Because the checker recognizes 'login' as a noun and flags its use where a verb phrase is required. Grammar tools typically suggest 'log in' or offer both 'log in to' and 'log into' as replacements.

Quick check before you send

Scan for the phrase: if it asks someone to act, change to 'log in'; if it names a thing, use 'login'. A short check catches this frequent slip and keeps messages, docs, and UI copy consistent and professional.