The use of preposition on, is very simple if you use a few rules. Let us learn, all the rules for preposition on & learn to avert grammatical mistakes in communication.
Use of Preposition On
Preposition, a tricky term for all of us, and many times we made mistakes in our communications, in our writings. In this lesson, we are going to crack the rules to use of preposition on.
We use the preposition ‘on’ in our day to day life, for example, we use to say:
| A cat is on the table | Here, on is used to say the place of cat |
| My class is on Monday | Here, on is used to tell about day |
| She is on the internet | Here, on is used to say about internet |
| Here, on is used to say about internet | Here, on is used to talk about the date |
| I am on a plane | Here, on is used for transport |
Now, look at all of the above sentences closely. There are different sentences and preposition on is used differently. Then how do we understand:
- Where to use the preposition on?
- When to use the preposition on?
Don’t worry, we have summarized the use of preposition on as rules which will help you to learn easily. Let’s explore, rules to use of preposition on.
Rule #1 On the Surface – Use of On Preposition
Description
When we talk about the surface and something or someone has touched the surface, we will use the preposition on.
Explanation
Let’s take a table. It has a surface. Now, we take an apple and keep it on the surface of the table. Here, we will say, the apple is kept on the table. Apple has touched the surface of the table. In the same way, a ball on the floor or a clock on the wall or apple on the tea table can be taken as examples.
Examples
| Preposition Examples | Explanation |
| A ball is kept on the desk | The ball has touched the surface of the desk |
| A picture is on the wall | The picture has touched the surface of the wall |
| The boat is on the water | The boat has touched the surface of the water |
| A book is kept on the table | Book has touched the surface of the table |
| A glass is kept on the dining table | Glass has touched the surface of the dining table |
| The clock is on the wall | The clock has touched the surface of the wall |
Notes
If the objects are not touched the surface, ON will not be used.
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Rule#2 When We talk Time – Use of On Preposition
Description
We will consider a pyramid, and divide it into three parts to understand the preposition of time:
| Top Part | Very Small and very specific, We use Preposition AT |
| Middle Part | Small and specific, We use Preposition ON |
| Bottom Part | General and bigger, We use Preposition IN |
We have already learned Preposition AT in our previous session, however, to have a more clearly we will understand from a comparison table:
| AT | ON |
| Very small & Very Specific we use AT | Small & specific case we use ON |
| Point of Time like 8.00 AM. 9.00 AM etc | Days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, today, yesterday, the day before yesterday, day after tomorrow, etc |
| Dates: 19th January, 14th February, etc. | |
| Time: The Moment | Time: The weekend, The weekdays, etc |
| Specific parts of the day: Midnight, Midday, etc | Days + Parts of the day: Sunday Morning, Monday Evening, etc |
| Name of Holidays: Christmas, Eid, Easter, Holi | Name of Holidays+ Day: Christmas Day, Eid Day, Easter Day, Holi Day |
Hence, we will use the preposition on when we talk about Days Dates Time like weekend, weekdays, etc Days + Parts of the day Names of holiday + Day.
Explanation
She has a party on 22nd July. Here, 22nd July is a date and we use preposition on 22nd July.
Examples
| My birthday is on 2nd December | 2nd December is a date, and we use on |
| Tina has an exam on Sunday | Sunday is a day, and we use on |
| We have a party on 19th January | 19th January is a date, and we use on |
| We all have enjoyed on Sunday evening | Sunday evening is day+parts of day, and we use on |
| She has released a book on 25th May 2020 | 25th May is a date, and we use on |
| We are going to London on Saturday | Saturday means a day, and we use on |
| We lost large forests on 22nd August 2019. | 22nd August is a date, and we use on |
Note
Mind it for the point of time, we use AT.
Rule#3 General Address – Use of On Preposition
Description
When we refer general address instead of the actual address, we will use preposition ON.
Explanation
She is staying on M.G Road. Here, M.G Road is a general address and we will use ON. But if we specify some numbers like 24/1 M.G Road, i.e. actual address, we will use AT since it will be a specific address.
Hence, in the case of the followings, we use ON
- Roads
- Avenue
- Streets
Examples
| Mona is living on SA Avenue | SA Avenue refers to a general address. |
| Lama has a meeting on LR Street | LR Street refers to a general address. |
| There are many bookstalls on college street | College Street refers to a general address. |
| She is staying on MP Avenue | MP Avenue refers to a general address. |
| Rimi is waiting on London Street | London Street refers to a general address. |
| Bulls are fighting on LG Road | LG Road refers to a general address. |
Notes
If we add some value to this address like some numbers, the address will be specific, and we will use preposition AT instead of preposition ON.
Rule#4 Something is Attached on Something – Preposition on Use
Description
When something is attached to other things, we will use preposition ON.
Explanation
She has a mask on her face. Here, Mask is attached on the face and we will use ON.
Examples
| Riya has a ring on her finger | The ring is attached to her finger |
| Dodo has a cap on her head | Cap is attached to the head |
| She has bangle on her left hand | The bangle is attached to her left hand |
| She has a nice clip on her hair | The clip is attached to her hair |
| Nice watch on his wrist | Watch is attached to his wrist |
| Nice ring on her ear | The ring is attached to her ear |
| Nice leather coat on his body | The coat is attached to his body |
Rule#5 In Case of Transport – Use of On Preposition
Description
Whenever we talk about transport, we will use preposition ON.
Explanation
Mira is on the bus. Here, the bus is a transport medium and we will use preposition ON.
Hence, in the case of the followings, we use ON
- Bus
- Train
- Plane
- Ship
- Bicycle
- Motorcycle, etc.
Examples
| Jojo is on a ship | It’s talking about ship |
| She is on a plane | It’s talking about a plane |
| Rini is on a bicycle | It’s talking about bicycle |
| Piya is traveling on a bus | It’s talking about bus |
| Rimi is on a bicycle | It’s talking about bicycle |
Notes
If someone is waiting inside the bus, we will use preposition IN instead of preposition ON.
Rule#6 Electronics Communications – Use of On Preposition
Description
In the case of electronic devices, we will use preposition ON. Remember, it will be applicable only when we work on electronic devices.
Explanation
She is on mobile. Here, she is doing some work and we will use preposition ON.
Hence, in the case of the following, we use ON
- Mobile
- Calculator
- TV
- Tab
- Internet etc.
Examples
| Luna is working on the computer | It’s related to an electronic device, computer |
| He has got the news on the internet | It’s related to the internet |
| She is doing a calculation on the calculator | It’s related to the calculator |
| Ram is watching a movie on the TV | It’s related to TV |
| Bina is reading a story on mobile | It’s related to phone |
Rule#7 Coast / River / Roads – Use of On Preposition
Description
When we talk about the coast or river or road or near to these all, we will use preposition ON.
Explanation
Rima is walking along the coast. Here, Rima is walking near the coast side and we will use preposition ON.
Examples
| Tina is walking on the road | It’s talking about road |
| He is running on the coast | It’s talking about coast |
| Kolkata is on the coast of Ganges | It’s talking about the river |
Rule#8 Body Parts – Use of On Preposition
Description
When we refer to body parts, we will use preposition ON.
Explanation
Minu kissed her daughter’s finger. Here, the finger is a part of the body and we will use preposition ON.
Hence, in the case of the followings, we use ON
- Forehead
- Finger
- Hand
- Palm
- Leg
- Eye
- Ear etc.
Examples
| She kissed on her forehead | Forehead means body part |
| Mother touched on the head of her son | Head is a body part |
| He put some medicine on the wound of leg | The leg is a body part. |
| Father kissed on her daughter’s finger | The finger is a body part |
Rule#9 Talk about state – Use of On Preposition
Description
When we talk about a mental state like anger or state of something, we will use ON.
Explanation
Muna is on anger. Here, Muna is very angry, and her mental state reflects anger. Hence, we will use preposition ON.
Examples
| Sourav is on fire yesterday | Fire means a mental state here |
| Office head was on anger | Anger is a mental state |
| Apple was on sale | The sale means a state |
| This dress was on sale | Selling means a state here |
Rule#10 When we talk about sides
Description
When we talk about sides like the right side or left side, we will use ON.
Explanation
| She is sitting on the right side | The right side means we use ON |
| Rumi is on my left side | The left side means we use ON |
| We are walking on the right side of the road. | The right side of the road means we use ON |
Use of Preposition On Work Out
Example-1
Rina is sitting on the floor.
Rina has touched the surface of the floor and we use the preposition on.
Example-2
Lila has a birthday on 5th July.
Here, birthday means a day so, we will use on.
Example-3
Dodo live on G.T. London Street.
Here, G.T. London Street means a general address so, we will use ‘on’.
Example-4
A beautiful diamond ring is on her finger.
Here, a diamond ring is attached to the finger and we use ‘on’.
Example-5
Rana is traveling on a plane.
Here, the plane is a transport medium and we use the preposition on
Example-6
Nita is working on the computer.
Here, the computer is an electronic device and we use the preposition on.
Example-7
She is walking on the river bank.
Here, walking near the river and we use ‘on’.
Example-8
Somi kissed on her forehead.
Here, the forehead is a body part and we use ‘on’.
Example-9
Tigers were on fire.
Here, fire is a mental state of the tiger and we use ‘on’
Example-10
Rina is on the right side of Sam.
Here, the right side means, we use ‘on’.
Conclusion
So, we have learned the use of preposition on. If you have any doubt, please let us know.
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