The key difference between in and on is that in indicates within something whereas on indicates on the top of something. The difference between in and on lies in the definition of the location.
As in and on are two prepositions in English grammar that are used to describe a noun in the locative case, it very important to know the difference between in and on, if one is to use these prepositions accurately. It is important to know that these two words are used generally to point out the location of some object or an individual.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does In Mean
3. What Does On Mean
4. Similarities Between In and On
5. Side by Side Comparison – In vs On in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What Does In Mean?
Look at the following sentence.
The lion is in the den.
In this example preposition in is used to convey the sense of location. However, in defines the location differently than on. As a matter of fact, the preposition in is used to imply the meaning within or inside. In the sentence ‘the lion is in the den’, the idea that is understood is that ‘the lion is inside the den’.
Figure 01: In vs On
The same rule applies when using some phrases like in time. The phrase in time gives the idea of in advance. To understand the meaning better, look at the following sentence.
He arrived at the dais in time.
When we read this sentence, we get the idea that he, the doer of the sentence, arrived at the dais well in advance.
What Does On Mean?
Look at the following sentence.
The book is on the table.
Just as in was used earlier in a different sentence, in the sentence given above on is used to convey location. You will see that the way on defines location is different to the way in defines location. In the sentence ‘the book is on the table’, the idea that is understood is that ‘the book is at the top of the table’.
Look at the use of the phrase on time. The phrase on time gives the idea of exactness. Now, have a look at the following example.
He reached the airport on time.
When we read this sentence, we get the idea that he reached the airport at the exact time.
What are the Similarities Between In and On?
- Both in an on are locative adjectives. In other words, they indicate location.
- Both In and On are used as adverbs.
- Both in and on are used in phrases. On time means exactly at the given time. In time means in advance.
What is the Difference Between In and On?
In vs On |
|
| In is used to imply the meaning within or inside. | On is used to imply the meaning on top of something. |
| Grammatical Category | |
| In is both an adverb as well as an adjective | On can not be used as an adverb in all situations eg: Cricket. the on side (her on is a noun) |
Summary – In vs On
In this manner, both locative adjectives, in an on, are used differently in different phrases to give different meanings. The difference between in and on is that in indicates inside something while on indicates on the top of something. It is important to know that these two words combine very well with various verbs to give varied meanings. Now, you can understand that the location is defined differently by the two prepositions in and on.