How to Use the Preposition On

How to Use the Preposition On The preposition on has many uses in English. This page summarizes the uses of on as a preposition and provides examples for each type of use. Important prepositional phrases with on are used to introduce and connect ideas are also listed with appropriate examples. In Time Expressions On is used as a preposition in time expressions with specific days of the week. Note: on the weekend is used in American English, but at the weekend or at weekends is used in British English. I will see you on Thursday.Peter usually walks to work on Fridays. Places On is used flat surfaces both big and small. We played football on the field.The book is on the table over there. On is used with planets. The most common usage is on earth, but other planets take on as well. You will find a wide variety of life on earth.So far, life has not been discovered on Saturn. Movement: Onto Sometimes on is confused with onto. The preposition on indicates that something is already in the position. Onto indicates a movement from one place onto to surface of some type. The book is on the table. But Pete took the book out of his backpack and put it onto the table.Could you move those clothes onto the sofa? On Foot On foot is an exception to stating how something moves with by. For example, I went there by boat, by plane or by car. BUT I went there on foot. She left her home and went to town on foot.Jennifer prefers to go shopping on foot. On Balance On balance is used to summarize a situation. On balance, we need to look for new business soon.We decided that, on balance, it didnt make sense to invest in new product development. On Condition On condition is used to establish something that must be done in order for something else to happen. On condition can be used in place of if. Well send our daughter to Europe this summer on condition that she gets good grades this semester.On condition that you finish this assignment, I will let you stay out late on Saturday. On Ones Own On ones own refers to an action that is done by yourself. Time doesnt like to spend much time on his own. Hed rather be with people.Mary was proud of having paid for her studies on her own. On the Contrary On the contrary is used to link ideas showing an opposing point of view. On the contrary, I believe that it will be impossible to succeed in this market.You might think Wilma is a great employee. On the contrary, she isnt very effective. On the Other Hand On the other hand is used when showing both the positive and the negative aspects of a situation. Wed think there is a lot of potential to the idea. On the other hand, its certainly a risky proposition.On the other hand, if you dont spend more time on your homework your grades will get worse. On the Way On the way indicates that something is physically located on the path to somewhere else. On the way can also be used in a figurative sense to indicate that something happened during the course of another action. Lets meet at the school on the way to the park.He happened to meet a lot of great people on the way to his success. On the Whole On the whole is used to summarize an opinion or discussion. On the whole, I think you will agree that our position in the market is excellent.On the whole, Jack thinks its a good idea to hire some new employees. On Time vs In Time On time means that you have arrived somewhere at the agreed upon time. In time indicates that you have done something within the appropriate amount of time. I arrived at the meeting on time. vs. I finished the report in time for the meeting.She picked us up at the airport on time. vs. Janice gave her recommendations in time for us to make an informed decision.