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[Andrefpvs]

I consider myself to be a fluent speaker of English (not native, though), but every now and then I find myself making (sometimes very obvious) mistakes when using prepositions (in, on, at, etc.).

I've been trying to find a flawless way of figuring out when to use a certain preposition, but when you've got cases that make no evident sense such as "in the taxi" vs. "on the bus", it's hard to form a collection of rules for the use of prepositions.

This has always been hard for me because in my mother tongue the same word is used for in, on, and sometimes at (if you want to be specific about the position of an object, you use what would translate to "on top of" or "inside of").

For example, just now I was writing a paragraph and I wrote

"they put a considerable amount of importance in foreign ratings," (I know you can word this in a different way, I'm just using this as an example)

but then I paused and thought

"isn't it 'to put importance on something'?" -- and I realized that I just didn't know for sure either way (by the way, if someone can clarify this specific case for me, it would be appreciated).

Fellow GAFers, is this one of those situations where you just have to memorize which word to use on a case-by-case basis, or are there specific rules I'm failing to understand?

 

[StopMakingSense]

In that instance, either in or on would work.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

"place...on" would also work.

 

[B-Dubs]

Never mind I read that wrong, I thought it said relations, not ratings. I feel like a doof. "In" is right.

Honestly, if this is really a concern go pick up a copy of Strunk and White's Elements of Style. It's a slim book and it's all about questions like this.

 

[Piecake]

I think on works better, but in works as well. Its mostly about feel, so its hard to explain any set rules.

 

[Mistel]

Put importance on something doesn't make sense to me, I was taught it should be in instead of on.

But then again I went to a bad public school instead of a boarding one like I wanted.

 

[modernlifeisANDY]

I am an English teacher. The English language is completely idiotic.

 

[empty vessel]

I have this problem with French. You just have to memorize it, I think.

And in your example, I would use "on," but nobody would probably bat an eyelash at "in."

 

[Arrowgigantic]

"they put a considerable amount of importance in foreign ratings," (I know you can word this in a different way, I'm just using this as an example)

but then I paused and thought

"isn't it 'to put importance on something'?" -- and I realized that I just didn't know for sure either way (by the way, if someone can clarify this specific case for me, it would be appreciated).

They place considerable importance on something

Which preposition to use is occasionally idiomatic, there are no bulletproof rules for which preposition is appropriate.

 

[The Librarian]

With prepositions, in most cases, there can be several right answers. You wouldn't be wrong saying "in the bus" instead of "on the bus." The latter is probably more slang than anything.

 

[Andrefpvs]

They place considerable importance on something

Which preposition to use is occasionally idiomatic, there are no bulletproof rules for which preposition is appropriate.

While "to place importance" definitely sounds better to me, I think using "to put importance" is not wrong per se. If this isn't true, I'll gladly accept any corrections.

 

[Miles X]

Bus, Plane ect you get on because you board them. Taxi, Car ect you just get in.

@Dax - never heard a living soul say they're "in the bus" ...

 

[B-Dubs]

With prepositions, in most cases, there can be several right answers. You wouldn't be wrong saying "in the bus" instead of "on the bus." The latter is probably more slang than anything.

I sort of like "on" better there, if only because it can also conjure an image of a guy sitting on top of a bus. Like he's just up there on the roof, hanging out like it's no big deal.

 

[empty vessel]

Bus, Plane ect you get on because you board them. Taxi, Car ect you just get in.

@Dax - never heard a living soul say they're "in the bus" ...

You can definitely say a person is in a bus.

 

[helloresolven]

With prepositions, in most cases, there can be several right answers. You wouldn't be wrong saying "in the bus" instead of "on the bus." The latter is probably more slang than anything.

I feel like you are only "in a bus", if there's an implication that you drove it.

 

[The Librarian]

I feel like you are only "in a bus", if there's an implication that you drove it.

(On the phone) "Yeah, no, I'm in a bus at the moment."

I'd say something like that.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

I think you mean "Prepositions on English".

 

[B-Dubs]

(On the phone) "Yeah, no, I'm in a bus at the moment."

I'd say something like that.

Or "I'm sitting in the bus."

 

[Andrefpvs]

I think you mean "Prepositions on English".

Thanks, now I'm even more paranoid about this stuff

 

[helloresolven]

(On the phone) "Yeah, no, I'm in a bus at the moment."

I'd say something like that.

Or "I'm sitting in the bus."

I guess I wouldn't think twice if someone said those, but I'd personally always use "on" when referring to a bus transportation.

 

[Kuraudo]

Technically it should be 'on'.

The problem you're having with this phrase is because it's using 'put' as a metaphor. 'Importance' is obviously not something you can physically move about and 'foreign ratings' cannot have something placed on top or inside of it, but for the metaphor to describe what you want it to, then in this instance you'd be putting the 'importance on foreign ratings'.

 

[The Librarian]

Thanks, now I'm even more paranoid about this stuff

You had it right. You are asking about prepositions belonging within the English language.

 

[crozier]

While "on" is technically correct, "in" will get the point across just fine. The problem with English is that native speakers (at least in the states) are lazy as hell when it comes to following grammar rules. Really, the only way to write/speak it like a native is through exposure.

 

[Desmond]

I don't think I've heard it often but "In the bus" would imply to me that someone is outside asking where you are and that is your reply to them. Lol On the bus is much better.

 

[Piecake]

I guess I wouldn't think twice if someone said those, but I'd personally always use "on" when referring to a bus transportation.

Yea, I think in works fine. Its just that on works better because you are boarding a vehicle.

I honestly wouldnt worry about it too much, OP. So long as you don't make any glaring mistakes like "I am in the Baseball game" instead of "I am at the baseball game" you will be fine. There is a good deal of ambiguity in all of this, as can be seen in this thread.

 

[crozier]

When people say something "sounds better" they don't mean that it's grammatically correct either, they're simply recalling its use in normal communication.

 

[The Librarian]

When people say something "sounds better" they don't mean that it's grammatically correct either, they're simply recalling its use in normal communication.

Or it's just easier/less awkward to say.

 

[helloresolven]

When people say something "sounds better" they don't mean that it's grammatically correct either, they're simply recalling its use in normal communication.

And yet, unless you're writing some important (legal, technical, business) document, "sounds better" is better than "grammatically correct".

And "sound better" will eventually be "grammatically correct."

 

[Alucrid]

I feel like you are only "in a bus", if there's an implication that you drove it.

Eh. You wouldn't say "I'm on the car" if you're in the passenger seat.

Yea, I think in works fine. Its just that on works better because you are boarding a vehicle.

I honestly wouldnt worry about it too much, OP. So long as you don't make any glaring mistakes like "I am in the Baseball game" instead of "I am at the baseball game" you will be fine. There is a good deal of ambiguity in all of this, as can be seen in this thread.

Wouldn't "in" imply some sort of involvement within the game?

 

[DrSlek]

"On a bus" as in travelling on a Bus route.

 

[helloresolven]

Eh. You wouldn't say "I'm on the car" if you're in the passenger seat.

Well, yeah, I was only talking about busses. You're never on a car, unless you're on a car.

 

[Piecake]

Eh. You wouldn't say "I'm on the car" if you're in the passenger seat.



Wouldn't "in" imply some sort of involvement within the game?

thats why its a glaring mistake because it changes the meaning of the sentence. Mixing up in and on in his example sentence really doesnt

 

[Arrowgigantic]

I can't think of any situation where you would say "I'm in a bus" that doesn't involve a teleportation accident or being tied up in the cargo bay.

 

[Alucrid]

thats why its a glaring mistake because it changes the meaning of the sentence. Mixing up in and on in his example sentence really doesnt

Oh, I missed "glaring mistake" part.

Well, yeah, I was only talking about busses. You're never on a car, unless you're on a car.

Yeah, I guess DrSlek's bus route explanation makes sense.

 

[cyclonekruse]

I feel like there might be an extremely subtle difference between "in the bus" and "on the bus." Using "in" makes it sound like you're referring more to the actual physical space of the bus while using "on" makes it sound more like you're referring to act of riding the bus. If that makes any sense. Though I don't think the difference is large enough to make a fuss over. I will say that "on the bus" is what I'd typically say.

However, if you think about a double-decker bus which is exposed topside, it wouldn't make much sense to say you're in the bus if you're on the upper level.

 

[StopMakingSense]

"in a bus" is more about your physical location. "on a bus" is more about riding the bus.

edit: literally beaten by seconds.

 

[empty vessel]

I can't think of any situation where you would say "I'm in a bus" that doesn't involve a teleportation accident or being tied up in the cargo bay.

Where's Mark?

He's in the bus.

"in a bus" is more about your physical location. "on a bus" is more about riding the bus.

edit: literally beaten by seconds.

Basically. Or perhaps if you are describing something that is happening within the bus while one is in it. But, regardless, nobody is going to call anybody out for saying "in" or "on" regardless of the context.

 

[BowieZ]

"On the bus/train/taxi/boat" because they are modes of public transport; there are aisles and you can walk around inside. Unless for some reason you are specifying to someone that you are in it as opposed to on top of it or underneath it, 'in' is not common use. "On" means "catching".

"In the car/taxi" because they are private vehicles with seats only.

As for "put importance in", it's definitely "place importance on" or "put/place emphasis on" etc. There's no reason why, again it's just common use.

 

[crozier]

"in a bus" is more about your physical location. "on a bus" is more about riding the bus.

edit: literally beaten by seconds.

This.

Context matters.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Where's Mark?

He's in the bus.

He's on the bus.

 

[desbang]

There are generalisable rules for certain types of prepositions (time and place, for example), but for phrases expressing abstract nouns (such as importance), you need to learn what prepositions collocate on a case-by-case basis. The good news is that for these kinds of nouns the meaning will not usually change if you use the incorrect preposition (unlike with prepositions of time and place). Therefore, although 'place importance in st' is not strictly correct, your intended meaning won't be lost. It will just sound a little odd.

 

[Andrefpvs]

"in a bus" is more about your physical location. "on a bus" is more about riding the bus.

edit: literally beaten by seconds.

I see -- this makes a lot of sense, actually.

 

[Fury Sense]

You can be "in" any vehicle, but to be "on" a vehicle implies you are riding it rather than directing it. Buses, trains, and planes, shuttles, etc. have predetermined routes and so you ride them. A Taxi or personal car is more understandably controlled by the passenger, and so you won't usually be "on" those things. "On" more likely relates to location in the city, but "in" probably describes personal space.

 

[StopMakingSense]

I see -- this makes a lot of sense, actually.

And since "on a bus" implies location, it would also be appropriate for many/many uses of describing your location, including instances where "in" would also be appropriate.

 

[Santerestil]

As a non-native English writer, your worries are also mine.

 

[vicissitudes]

Correct preposition usage is a subset of a larger grammatical category called "idioms" - which are the particular quirks or idiosyncrasies of a language, and often there is no logical reason for their correct usage other than "that's the way it is."

For the example discussed in this thread, "on the bus" and "in the car" are the correct prepositions, respectively. It doesn't make much sense why that is, it's just the way English works.

As another example, "different than" is considered improper, and "different from" is the correct phrase. In normal conversation, no one would bat an eye, but in formal writing the former is considered grammatically incorrect. There are many more examples like these.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

Correct preposition usage is a subset of a larger grammatical category called "idioms" - which are the particular quirks or idiosyncrasies of a language, and often there is no logical reason for their correct usage other than "that's the way it is."

For the example discussed in this thread, "on the bus" and "in the car" are the correct prepositions, respectively. It doesn't make much sense why that is, it's just the way English works.

As another example, "different than" is considered improper, and "different from" is the correct phrase. In normal conversation, no one would bat an eye, but in formal writing the former is considered grammatically incorrect. There are many more examples like these.

I would absolutely bat an eyelid at someone saying "different than" in conversation. That sounds weird as fuck.

 

[Dr.Acula]

I put my faith in Blast Hardcheese.

 

[RELAYER]

The real differences between on the bus and in the bus are nonexistent. You will be perfectly understood either way.

But yea, prepositions are often just a matter of memorizing phrases.

I'm learning German and it's the same scenario.

Funny enough though, in German you would never say you are coming "on the bus" (auf dem Bus) because that means you literally rode on top of the bus.

I guess in German you wouldn't say "in the bus" either, you say "with the bus".

So yeah, prepositions.

 

[Chezzymann]

You can be "in" any vehicle, but to be "on" a vehicle implies you are riding it rather than directing it. Buses, trains, and planes, shuttles, etc. have predetermined routes and so you ride them. A Taxi or personal car is more understandably controlled by the passenger, and so you won't usually be "on" those things. "On" more likely relates to location in the city, but "in" probably describes personal space.

This. The reason we say "On the bus" but not "on the car" is because theres defined routes on a bus but no defined route on a car. Or in other words its similar to when you say "on a track" or "on a path". This is not to be confused with "on a bike" because in that case you're actually on top of the bike.