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Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 8:31 am Post subject:

Don't ground staff usually talk about 'boarding' aircraft? As in going 'aboard', or going 'on board'.

Perhaps this is why 'by foot' has some sort of presence: often some speakers just do not realise that there is sometimes a rationale for various phrases which may at first seem illogical, and so misuse or borrow from other lexical items in order to impose a degree of uniformity. Our learners do it, overgeneralise, all the time. So do natives.

At least that is my notion. Could be wrong there, though...

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

English is 'on' for public transit and 'in' for private, I believe is the very general rule. You'd never ride 'on' a car...

By bike, by tram, by car......it's for habitual modes of travel, I think.

"I usually go to work by tram, but today I came on foot because there was an accident blocking the tram lines."

Czech has different verbs depending whether 'it' is an habitual, repeated action or whether it's a one-off. Perhaps this is an English variation of the pattern.

Anyway, regardless of logic and/or rules, I'd still never say 'by foot.' It's vile Laughing

johnslat · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:34 pm Post subject:

Dear spiral78,

I think the direction of motion is also relevant. You get (up) on planes, ships. horses, motorcycles, etc. However, there's a "sideways" motion when you get in/into cars, taxis, trucks.

It's not 100% (what is, in English?) but it works petty well.

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 6:59 am Post subject:

What about roller skates....?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

What about 'em? Are you asking if it should be "in" or "on"? Let's get small! Wish Steve Martin would start doing stand-up again.