Representing when, where, how and why
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Representing where | page 4 of 8 |
Using prepositional phrases: on
On is used to refer to a surface or something which is being viewed as a surface:
To play, we each choose one of our cards and lay it face down on the table. (Microconcord Corpus A)
We have a painting stuck up on the wall. (Bank of English)
Would you like to sit on the floor? (Bank of English)
The lorry was trying to brake on a hill. (Bank of English)
On is also used to refer to a line or something which is being viewed as a line:
It's just a matter of him signing on the dotted line. (SCMP 8/7/92)
Plans are underway to build a 300 million yuan airport in Yangjiang, on the coast to the west of Hong Kong. (SCMP 5/4/94)
On is also commonly used for public transport:
They went on a bus. (Bank of English)
The women were put on a plane to Vancouver. (SCMP 17/9/92)
He was on a train taking him home from a visit to his sister in Vienna. (Microconcord Corpus A)
The drug has been found on a ship from Vietnam. (SCMP 17/9/92)
Introduction
Using prepositional phrases: on
