Thanks to all people for answering my question whether the correct variant is to say- She is sitting in a bus?

Question

or -She is sitting on a bus. The majority of answers is that -in a bus- is the correct variant, implying that any verb can be used with the preposition In, like- she is reading in a train, etc.. But, lately I've seen in a book for upper-intermediate level students of English, the text, where the first sentence is- She was reading on a train. So, now I am totally bewildered, the authoritative source says one thing, the people of, I suppose, the English community say opposite. I am inclined to believe the book, but why people of , I guess, English -speaking countries say opposite. Please refer to the source of your answers knowledge!?

Answer 1

In what country is the bus located? In some countries, many people do ride on top of the bus when they travel.

Answer 2

While you might think that because people get into a train or any other vehicle (except a car), I believe that the term would be sitting on the bus/train.

I've heard/read that the English language is the MOST difficult to understand because of the various ways of saying the same thing!!! It's still the best language in the world.

Answer 3

In or On in this case is not really a matter of concern, we all know what is meant. It is different for sitting in or on a house but in or on a chair reverts to the sane sense of the bus. The purpose of English is not correctness as in some other languages but to communicate clearly. English is a pidgin language but never tell an English teacher that, they will flunk you!

I coulda bin a contenda, but my feengurs two fatten sloe

Answer 4

She is sitting on a seat in the bus; reading. But not for long. The bus driver had to slam on the brakes because a man walked in front of the moving bus. Now she is sitting on the floor in the bus looking bewildered.

She she sitting or setting?

Answer 5

As a English Prof for several years, there is not a correct answer per se, but I prefer "She is sitting in a bus" being logical that it means inside the bus versus "She is sitting on a bus" which typically means you are on top of something and I don't see many people riding on the roof of the bus, have you? :)

Answer 6

Either form is correct in this instance. 'IN' can be used to mean someone or something is enclosed, as would be the case either with a bus or a train. 'ON' means that you are being supported underneath (ie the floor of the bus is under your feet).

Answer 7

Technically, either work.

George Carlin did a skit on it though.

He was asked if he wanted to get on the plane. He replied "F.... that, I want to get IN the plane. I an not riding on a wing.

You ride ON a horse. You are outside it. You ride IN a car. You are sitting in it.

That said, English is an imprecise language, and either ON or IN is acceptable when riding in a large public transportation vehicle. Outside of Carlin, probably nobody will ever notice which word you used.

Answer 8

In the US especially, our language is a mixture of many language influences. When you think about it, of course you are in the bus. But, when I first read the question, my answer was on the bus. We are a confusing bunch.

Answer 9

In a living language such as English, common usage determines propriety. And in this case, either is acceptable usage. One is not more correct than the other, as both forms are found throughout literature.

Answer 10

thats a good one but i use on a bus