2006-10-11 17:23:05 · 15 answers · asked by sabbyjane 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Question actually should be I am ON the train going back home"
2006-10-11 18:18:48 · update #1
It is "ON the train back home". (Sean is mistaken. This expression is perfectly acceptable. The "back home" is simply short for "on my way back home" or "going back home". It does NOT mean you or the train are currently located at or near your home!)
In fact, there are places where one CAN say simply "IN the train", but that is only when you want to emphasize that you are not OUTSIDE the train. In the case you mention the point is not your position relative to the train itself, but that you are being TRANSPORTED BY train.
Why?
Some people say these sorts of expressions have no logic or even claim that English is unusual in this way. But they usually do have some logic, and English is NOT unusual here.
It's important, though, in the case of PREPOSITIONS to recognize that a preposition (in ANY language) usually has a RANGE of meaning.... so not every use of "in" or "on" will be identical.
Just look at the number of entries in the dictionary for "on":
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/on
Also, expressions using prepositions (again, in ANY language) tend to be very idiomatic. They might logically be used in a different way, but in the speaking of the language, certain phrases have become the standard way to say this or that and you simply have to learn those expressions in the same way you learn vocabulary.
So, on the question of when/why one speaks of being "in" or "on" a vehicle:
1) the use is not based, as some suggest, on 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, even though the sizes may not be that different.
2) Contrary to another suggestion some make, 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
2006-10-12 02:45:23 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm on the train back home
2006-10-11 17:26:07 · answer #2 · answered by doris_38133 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that you are in the train home, but you say on the train home in proper English
2006-10-11 17:28:50 · answer #3 · answered by pegasegirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On is correct even though it makes more sense to say IN.
We even say we're getting ON a plane (rather than IN ) and that definitely wouldn't be the best place to sit while flying!
English is a wonderful, rich langauge but it does have anomalies like that. After all, we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway, while our feel smell and our noses run!!!!
2006-10-11 17:25:03 · answer #4 · answered by JaneB 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Both sentences are incorrect.
"I'm on the train back home" means you're on a train that is back home. "I'm in train back home" is telling us to look inside a train that resides at your home.
The proper sentence to convey what you mean should read either: "I'm on a train to my home" or "I'm coming home on a train".
Peace
2006-10-11 17:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"on", even tho ur actually in the train
2006-10-11 21:05:22 · answer #6 · answered by marmalade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ON... i have never heard some use the word IN. i think it's b/c it runs on a track.
2006-10-11 17:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by Selene 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either one is fine....unless you're on the roof of the carriage....in which case you're definitely not IN anything...not even your right mind....LOL
2006-10-11 17:26:43 · answer #8 · answered by eantaelor 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
on. As in "Im on a bus" or "I'm on an airplane."
but if that's the case why don't we say "I'm on a car." we say "I'm IN a car."
2006-10-11 17:30:24 · answer #9 · answered by Snuz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on
2006-10-11 17:46:19 · answer #10 · answered by loopy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋