2006-09-07 14:12:24 · 3 answers · asked by marlon_bautista55 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Are you perched at the top of the box, or do you see the walls around you? Top=on, around=in. :)
2006-09-07 14:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by Wander Woman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a difficult one, because usually on means "atop" and in means "within". However, both words are prepositions, and the use of prepositions as idioms is common. Idioms are words that get used in a particular way in certain contexts, and there aren't any overall rules to help you understand them. For example, we (in the U.S.) say, "I'm in school", which doesn't mean that you are physically inside the school - in fact, you may not be anywhere near the school when you are saying it - but that you are enrolled as a student. You just have to memorize which word gets used. I've taught international students, and this is one of the most difficult things for them to get used to as they are learning English.
2006-09-07 14:26:19 · answer #2 · answered by neniaf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use in: as in the oven, use on: as on the stove. If you are on it, or in it. I hope this helps.
2006-09-07 14:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by organic gardener 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋