I was wondering if it is correct to use "on" meaning that something is on (inside) something else. For example:
There is a book on the drawer
If it is wrong, it is correct to use "in" instead?
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Sign up to join this communityNo, the preposition "on" indicates that something is on top of something else; this can be either physically or not.
On also indicates "with contact", unlike above that indicates "without contact", see for example:
- The book is on the table. [the book is actually touching the table]
- He placed the lamp above the table. [the lamp is not touching the table]
To indicate inside, simply use "in":
The book is in the drawer.
In this case, I do not believe that "on" and "in" can be used interchangably.
If someone said to me "There is a book on the drawer" I would be confused because drawers are usually inside something else (such as a desk or a dresser) and it's not normally possible to be on top of something like a drawer, unless the drawer is extended. Only if the drawer is extended would it make sense to say " on the drawer" and it would mean (to me) that the book was resting across the rims of the drawer, but not actually inside the drawer.
If someone said "There is a book in the drawer" I would immediately open the drawer to look for the book. There would be no confusion about what the sentence means.
In the case on would mean at the top of the drawer. And yes, in would have the same meaning as inside.
There is a book in the drawer