Difference Between In and On

Prepositions are words or collections of words that are applied before a noun, pronoun, or phrase to indicate the direction, spot, time, or to inject an object.

/10

Language Quiz

Language quiz helps us to increase our language skills

1 / 10

He drives quite ________, but his brother drives really ________.

2 / 10

What is the term used to describe a word that is spelled the same forwards and backwards?

3 / 10

What is the study of words and their meanings called?

4 / 10

She’s wearing a ________ dress.

5 / 10

Choose the synonym for the word "clever":

6 / 10

Choose the word that is a synonym for "resilient":

7 / 10

Choose the word that means the opposite of "to begin":

8 / 10

What is the term used to describe words that connect clauses or sentences?

9 / 10

What is the term for a word that is spelled and pronounced the same way but has a different meaning?

10 / 10

Which language has the largest number of speakers?

Your score is

0%

In vs On

The difference between ‘in’ and ‘on’ is that we need to use the word ‘in’ when we are speaking about a state in which something is embedded by some other thing whereas if we talk about ‘on’ it means we are talking about a condition where an object is located or placed over or outside some other object.

In vs On

Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!

‘In’ is used to indicate that some object is stored or is inside some other object. For example:

  1. The document is in the desk.
  2. The insect is in the hive.

‘In’ is also used to indicate a consequence included in time.

  1. I like to eat food in the evening.
  2. Sanjay’s birthday is in August.

‘On’ is used to designate a position for the surface on which the object is placed. For example:

  1. Rahul sat on the chair.
  2. The charger is placed on the desk.

‘On’ is also used for specifying a specific day or date. It may also be used to indicate a special event or program. For example:

  1. My Engagement is on September 22.
  2. We shall meet you on Saturday!

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonInOn
Definition‘In’ refers to a Preposition that is generally used to show a condition when an object is surrounded by another object.‘On’ refers to a Preposition that is used to indicate an event when an object is placed above another object.
Usage by placeName of city, state, and nation.It is only used for indicating places like street names.
Usage by TimeIt is used for indicating months, years, season, century, and decades.It is used for indicating normal days, dates, and specific events.
Example of Usage by placeAhmed lives in Florida, America.Anuj is on his way to Chennai.
Example of usage by timeTitanic was released in the year 1996.John will meet Michael on Thursday.

What is ‘In’?

‘In’ can be categorized as a Noun, Adjective, Adverb, and most importantly a Preposition. ‘In’ can be said to be a noun if it is utilized to denote support or an ability to influence.

‘In’ can also be considered to be an Adverb in certain cases if it is used to transform a verb or an adjective. For example:

  • The Prime Minister of the country walked in.
  • Please, mix in the milk and water.

‘In’ can also be categorized as an Adjective when it is used to represent a noun or a pronoun. For instance:

  • It is what the in custom Audience buying this month.
  • Mr. Sharma is in the house.

‘In’ many times, in general, is classified under Prepositions, when it is used to indicate a duration of the season, indicate a location, indicate that an object is inside another object. For example:

  • They both met each other in 1988.
  • Reema got wounded in the arm.
in

What is ‘On’?

‘On’ can be categorized as Adverbs, Adjectives, and most importantly Prepositions. In addition to all of these ‘on’ is also put after some verbs, nouns, and even adjectives. For example:

  • Andrew is sitting beside David on the Bed.
  • On the Dining table were baskets piled high with fruits and vegetables.

Examples of ‘on’ as an Adverb are:

  • Garima put her hat on while Akash opened the main gate.
  • Preeti told Mayank that she would be not joining him as she has a lot on in the next month.

Examples of ‘on’ as an Adjective are:

  • There’s an amazing match on at the World cup at the present moment.
  • Every year the commitee used to put a drama on at Kings College, London.
on

Main Differences Between ‘In’ and ‘On’

  1. ‘In’ is used as prepositions, adverb, adjective and pronoun. ‘On’ is used mainly as prepositions but sometimes also used as adverbs and adjectives.
  2. Reema and Rohan met each other in 2014 is an example of ‘in’, whereas Reema and Rohan met each other on Monday last week is an example of ‘on’.
Difference Between In and On
References
  1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-child-language/article/learning-to-use-prepositions-a-case-study/5DD9102F0B6BC31CF50ABA9DA936C7AF
  2. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110847420.229/html
One request?

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *