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khk
Joined: 11 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: India
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 Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: Use of 'on' before places |
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Could anyone help me with the following questions?
1. Why �in� is used before a car/taxi/helicopter/boat but �on� is used before a bus/train/plane/ship/bicycle?
2. You might have heard about it 'on' the BBC World Service but I have read about it 'in' the Guardian Weekly.' What is the explanation behind using �on� and �in� in this sentence?
3. It was 'on' the bottom shelf at the back. Why not 'at' the bottom shelf 'on' the back?
Thanks in advance.
Khk |
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damon@English24/7
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Vancouver Canada
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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I don`t think there is a rule, you just have to learn to how it is used in each individual case. I would love to hear someone come up with an answer and prove me wrong.
damon |
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Mary W. Ng
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Use of 'on' before places |
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| 1. Why �in� is used before a car/taxi/helicopter/boat but �on� is used before a bus/train/plane/ship/bicycle? |
"In" is used to say something or someone is inside something else. "On" is used with public or commercial transport.
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| 2. You might have heard about it 'on' the BBC World Service but I have read about it 'in' the Guardian Weekly.' What is the explanation behind using �on� and �in� in this sentence? |
You hear something "on" the radio, but you read something "in" the newspaper.
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| 3. It was 'on' the bottom shelf at the back. Why not 'at' the bottom shelf 'on' the back? |
You use "on" when something is touching the surface of something else. So you say "on the shelf", "on the table", "on the floor", "on the wall", "on the window", "on the ceiling", "on the roof", etc. You use "at" to say where someone or something is. So you say "at the back", "at the top", "at the bottom", "at the door", "at the store", etc.
There are always exceptions, though.
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com |
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khk
Joined: 11 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: India
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| Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Thank you Mary W. Ng. So which one between in and on should be used before 'the street' and why? |
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Mary W. Ng
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Use of 'on' before places |
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Hi khk,
I'm glad to be of help. As to your question:
| Quote: |
| So which one between in and on should be used before 'the street' and why? |
"On the street" is American English; "in the street" British English.
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com |
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