'When I shook the tree some fruits fell on/ onto the ground.'

[Tom]

Hi

Would you say that both of the following sentences are correct and natural?

1- When I shook the tree some fruits fell on the ground.
2- When I shook the tree some fruits fell onto the ground.

Tom

[Aydincelenk]

Hi Tom,
I would probably choose the second if I have to choose one. The first doesn't sound correct to me. "fall on" is usually as a phrasal verb and the meaning doesn't suit the sentence.

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I would prefer 'some of the fruit' (singular, collective noun) or the specific type of fruit -- e.g. 'some of the plums'.

When I shook the tree, some of the fruit fell to the ground. (my preference)
When I shook the tree, some of the fruit fell on the ground.

I would not use 'onto' in this case, but I guess you could.

Amy
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