7
votes
"Work on the field" vs. "work in the field"
The farmer works on the field.
This means that the farmer does his work on the surface of the field. It can refer to the farmer himself being on the field while he works, or it can refer to the crops ...
- 2,091
7
votes
“In the news” or “on the news”
In the news...
This refers to when someone or some event is widely discussed in that subset of media we call "the news."
"Barrack Obama was in the news." This means that Barrack Obama was discussed ...
- 9,397
6
votes
Is it “in” or “on the holidays”?
I think "during" and "over" are better alternatives to any of those. So you could say something like "I'll call her over the holidays" and "Did you have a good time during/over Easter?"
- 2,425
5
votes
Accepted
“In the news” or “on the news”
The answer is C, "on the news".
This is an example a completely different usage of "on the news" to the one described by Benjamin Harman. In this case, "on the news that..." means "as a result of the ...
- 3,568
5
votes
"Knowledgeable about" vs. "knowledgeable on" vs. "knowledgeable in"
If you must use knowledgeable, then
knowledgeable in
knowledgeable about
are your best choices. Knowledgeable on is not correct. On implies that knowledge is a physical object that can have a ...
- 597
4
votes
"on the National Mall" - why "on" and not "in"?
The National Mall may be a park, but it is also a mall (3rd definition):
A shady public walk or promenade.
The preposition choice used in a sentence does not usually have to do with what the ...
- 2,336
4
votes
Accepted
On or In this matter?
I believe that Smokey Stover's answer over on the Phrase Finder Discussion Forum (April 10, 2008) is correct:
Could you explain [to] me the the difference ... [in] use [between] 'in this matter'
....
- 70.7k
3
votes
Accepted
Is it “in” or “on the holidays”?
At (among other uses) is used for weekends, public and religious holidays, meal times, and times of day. For example: at the weekend (BrEng usage); at Christmas and at Easter; at lunch; and at 12 o'...
- 85.6k
3
votes
ON an American street, but IN a British one. Do the twain ever meet?
Having lived for many years in both Britain and the USA, I've noticed that Americans often drop the designation that follows the proper name of the street, whereas British people rarely do.
So an ...
- 26.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Why "on the books", not "in the books"
My guess is that this is like "on the list" vs "in the list". You generally append new entries to an account book or ledger (more generally, you edit it). It is not like a book that is written once ...
- 14.9k
2
votes
Does one work in or on an aeroplane?
Both are correct. However, I would say the student's answer is more apt.
Terminology for airplanes is similar to ships (they are in effect airships).
One works on a ship. Passengers on a flight ...
- 54.6k
2
votes
Accepted
In or On Microsoft Excel's Table/Cells/Column
I think the answer may be different between British English and American English. In the U.S., we tend to say and write "in a cell, table, spreadsheet," while our British counterparts may prefer to ...
- 6,759
2
votes
Preposition ON or IN to proceed 'Monday's workshop'
If the phrase had been
To all students who participated in the workshop on Monday...
instead of
To all students who participated in/on Monday's workshop...
I suspect that you wouldn't have ...
- 151k
2
votes
"close resemblance in/on ..." OR "closely resembling ..."
I think you would do better to replace resembling/resemblance with corresponding/correspondence.
The baseline characteristics of these fracture populations closely correspond...
or
The baseline ...
- 3,579
1
vote
On the planet, or in the planet
The number of species on the planet, would be correct. On and in play an important role here, as the species don't live in the planet, but on. Hope this helps.
- 174
1
vote
Usage of *in*/*on* referring a Web object
Computer windows, such as the ones that contain dialogs, are metaphoric containers -- notice that you used the term box to refer to it. Therefore, the correct preposition is in. We use on when ...
- 16.4k
1
vote
IN and ON: Confused as to what is the logic here?
It is advisable to use IN when you are indicating a position for spaces with limitations while it is relatively specific and does not denote anything enclosed.
I'm in the office.
Alternatively, ON ...
1
vote
Accepted
Is a server "in the Internet" or "on the Internet"
If you have to use a preposition, use "on":
There are two main approaches to using Internet Location Servers: use a public server on the Internet, or run and use a private server.
(wikipedia.org)
...
- 13.3k
1
vote
in/on/at the square
As an AmE speaker I would use "in the square." But I would also say, "Let's meet on the quad."
- 3,301
1
vote
in/on/at the square
I agree with Robusto's comment. As a BrE speaker, I'd use "in the square" to refer to a location.
I'd say on the square when I meant "at right angles to [something], or "honest". This is a reference ...
- 3,967
1
vote
Accepted
Is it "in" or "on" the dark side?
When using side in relation to an implicit dichotomy, to place something in one camp rather than in the other camp, as is the case here, then on is the preposition to use. We say "on my side", "on the ...
- 149
1
vote
Which is better equivalent for “in stock”? “At hand”, “on hand”, or “in hand”?
I would suggest:
On hand
Followed by:
In hand.
I have never heard this and it doesn't sound correct at all:
At hand.
- 2,285
1
vote
Is it correct to say "the bird is in the tree" or "on the tree"?
I would say "in a tree" is more correct. Sylvia Plath wrote "I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree" (The bell jar, 1967).
- 11
1
vote
Accepted
"In a broad range of positions" or "on a broad range of positions"?
You work in a position. You do not work on a position, unless you are practicing a new sex technique, which is probably not what you want. Not in this context, anyway.
- 95.6k
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