The
preposition on is often used in place phrases.
In general,
on means "on
the top of" or "on the
surface of" the place.
For
streets, on refers to
a location that is alongside
the street.
Examples--surface / topside:
What's the cat doing on
the
table?
Please write your
name on
this paper.
Be careful! There's ice
on
the sidewalk!
Many large passenger boats used to
travel
on the
Mississippi River.
Oh,
no! There's a coffee stain on
my
tie!
His classes are not
on
the university campus.
Walk on the sidewalk,
not
on the grass.
He's always dreamed of having a house
on the
beach.
There are two
rocking chairs on
Mr. Weems'
front porch.
Examples--on
for
streets:
He lives on 79th Avenue,
doesn't
he?
There are many
expensive shops on
Rodeo Drive.
It's less dangerous to walk
on
the street than
in
the
street.
To get to
Mischa's house, turn left on
the first
street after the traffic light and go two
blocks.
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Special Notes:
| 1. |
|
Do not use in
with
exact
addresses
(addresses that have house numbers
or
building numbers):
wrong: *He lives on 4732 Marshall
Drive.
wrong:
*Alice's office is on 26515
Main
Street. |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
|
Do not use on
for
general
locations
that
have
boundaries:
wrong: *Dave
lives on California.
wrong: *The
zoo is on the city park. |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
|
For streets, in the
street is where
people
drive, but on the street is
alongside
the street on either side:
People ride bicycles on
the
street,
not in
it.
He parked his car
on Mill
Avenue.
Children shouldn't play in
the
street,
even when there isn't much
traffic. |
| |
|
|
| 4. |
|
When it is clear that a street's
surface,
not
its sides, is
being referred to, use on:
Traffic was very heavy
on
the freeway
this
morning.
Did you hear
about the accident on
Riverside
Boulevard? |
| |
|
|
| 5. |
|
The fixed expression on the
road
means "traveling":
I need to be on the road
by 7:00
AM.
I know Mr. White is
making a tour
of
the company's
West Coast offices.
How long will he be
on
the road? |
| |
|
|
| 6. |
|
The fixed expression on the way
(to
___) and on one's way
(to ___)
means
"en route
(to ___)" or "while
traveling
(to ___ "):
I saw Leila while I was on
the
way
to work. (I was
traveling to work
when I saw her.)
I'll be happy to pick you up. Your
house is on my
way to the
office.
(I pass or
go near your house
as
I travel
to the
office.) |
| |
|
|
| 7. |
|
The fixed expression be on
one's
way means
"leave":
I'll
be on my way in about
ten
minutes. I should arrive at your
house around 4:15.
Oh, no! Look at the time!
We need to be on
our
way! |
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