The same change can be made to each word or name below to form a new word or name. Can you determine what it is?

BE
FINE
PETE
POLE
BRAIN

HINTS:
The same two letters can be inserted into each word or name to form new ones.

Answers:

The letters IT can be inserted into each word or name to form a new one:

BITE
FINITE
PETITE
POLITE
BRITAIN

Credit: NY Times Crossword
February 10, 2002
Harvey Estes & Nancy Salomon
IT'S IN THERE!