2006-09-06 03:14:37 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The answers that say "it's just the weirdness of English" as it English is unique in this respect are not just unhelpful. They are mistaken. Prepositions are tricky and idiomatic in ANY language. To some extent you simply have to learn which is correct on a case-by-case basis.
BUT the choices are not haphazard. There is logic to them. JUsdon't count on boiling it all down to ONE simple rule.
1) the answer is not the size of the vehicle. A child gets ON a tricycle, hardly something very large. You get IN a rowboat or canoe, but ON a sailboat, though the sizes may not be that different.
2) It is not a simple matter of whether you sit or stand to ride the vehicle (nor whether you might be able to stand). When you get ON a bicyle or tricycle standing is hardly the preferred position. And you probably CAN stand while aboard a rowboat (though hardly recommended for a canoe!)
Related to this is how you BOARD the vehicle. Note also that you get on a train, but you are IN the caboose, etc; you get on a ship, but you are IN a ship cabin. And for that matter, you can refer to someone being "in the plane" or "in the bus".
3) An often overlooked aspect -- "IN" emphasizes ENCLOSURE. If you are not significantly enclosed the expression will be "on". Thus, you are ON a bicycle/motorcycle/tricycle. This also explains why you are IN a rowboat or canoe, but ON a sailboat.
The answer then, is a combination of things. In the cases listed here the two main factors seem to be:
a) enclosure (you cannot get "in" something that does not enclose)
b) ability to board or enter by walking ON to it (as when boarding a bus, ship, train). . .
note that whether you sit or stand once you've boarded is not relevant
2006-09-06 07:45:13 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah and why do people pronounce Coupons "kyewpons"--
You wouldnt call your 2-door mercedes a "kyewp" now would you??!
That'd totally ruin the arua and sound stupid....
I reckon, tho, you have to get 'on' a plane becuase of the boarding process, with ramp and you have to be allowed in....it's more complex than getting into a car but still.... that doesnt explain it! 8)
Just a matter of convention!!
2006-09-06 10:21:54 · answer #2 · answered by Yentl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh yes, the lovely English language. I would love to see all the passengers sitting on top of the plane holding on for dear life! Haha.!
2006-09-06 10:16:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Darn, are we meant to get IN a plane? I always get ON one, personally. I like to sit on the roof and hang on to the wing. Gets a bit drafty. I can see how getting IN to a plane might be a better option.
2006-09-06 10:58:34 · answer #4 · answered by drblonde 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get on a plane not in as you are not getting in the bowel of the plane. You don't get on top of a car, you would get in one.
2006-09-06 14:41:54 · answer #5 · answered by rosieC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a bit like saying you flew in a plane, of course you cant fly the plane does that. Or you flew accross the ocean in a 747
Or have I lost it altogether?
2006-09-06 10:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by philipscottbrooks 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think people use "On A Plane" because the term "On-Board" describes someone who is in the cabin, not in-board.
2006-09-06 10:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by flyboop_2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ah! Good observation. I agree. Nobody gets ON a plane! It's freezing up there!
2006-09-06 10:16:24 · answer #8 · answered by jfahd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you would:
get on a bus
get on a train
get on a 747
get on a ship
BUT you probably wouldn't
get on a car
get on a biplane
get on a lifeboat
So there must be some size involved, no?
2006-09-06 10:18:24 · answer #9 · answered by Taro Shinsei 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the great mysteries of the beautiful English language which most English people haven't even fully mastered!!
2006-09-06 10:22:43 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋