 Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:34 pm Use of preposition on |
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ON
PREPOSITION: 1a. Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with: The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees. b. Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position: a picture on the wall; a rash on my back. c. Used to indicate location at or along: the pasture on the south side of the river; a house on the highway. d. Used to indicate proximity: a town on the border. e. Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from: beads on a string. f. Used to indicate figurative or abstract position: on the young side, but experienced; on her third beer; stopped on chapter two. 2a. Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington. b. Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident. 3a. Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour. b. Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him. 4a. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door. b. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them. c. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress. d. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions. 5. Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action: cut his foot on the broken glass; talked on the telephone. 6a. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet. b. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope. 7a. Used to indicate a source or basis: “We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results” (Margaret Thatcher). b. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane. 8a. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way. b. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business. c. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train. d. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call. 9. Used to indicate belonging to: a nurse on the hospital staff. 10. Used to indicate addition or repetition: heaped error on error. 11a. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy. b. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him. 12. Informal In one's possession; with: I haven't a cent on me. 13. At the expense of; compliments of: drinks on the house.
(courtesy of American Heritage Dictionary)
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who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
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Mister Micawber
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