on the hills of the Apennines? is it right to say so in English?

Question

i know that they are in Italy, but the prep. doesn't change bacause of it, does it??? :)

Answer 1

Every language has its idiosyncratic mine-fields in the use of prepositions. It is perfectly OK to say 'on the hills of the Apennies' if you are speaking about something that is obviously 'on' the hills, e.g. sheep grazing. So one might say, 'Can you see the sheep on the hills of the Apennies - aren't they pretty...etc.' But if you are talking about something that is not visible, the preposition 'in' is sometimes used, as in, 'There are bandits in the hills...'. Hope that's clear.

Incidentally, the Apennie Mts are in Italy, and not in England.

I know you know, but Elizadus seems to think you've made a mistake. There are no strict and fast rules here. It depends on the context. Having said that, it is more idiomatic when referring to a range of mountains or hills to use 'in', e.g. I plan to do some walking in the Rocky Mts., and Muirkirk in the hills of Aryshire, but 'on' when referring to one mt or hill, e.g. He died on Mt Everest..., or, When we were on Mt Everest...' and, I'm going up on Wolverton Mt, etc., and, House on the hill...

Answer 2

For some unknown reason, the proper English would be: "in the hills of the Apennines" or "in the Apennines" (since by definition Apennines are hills. Do you mean the foothills (the lower slopes?)

Answer 3

In the hills of the appenines sounds odd in English. The Appenines are mountains really so it seems better to say "In the Appenine mountains".

Answer 4

No its Pennines.