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In the bottom vs. On the bottom



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
to lose somebody something | where is the subject of a sentence?
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In the bottom vs. On the bottom #1 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:53 am   In the bottom vs. On the bottom
 

Hi,

I am really going to ask you a silly question I am not clear about now. Please help me out.

Is there any difference between 'in the bottom' and 'on the bottom'? e.g. in such a context as:

Quote:
"No, thanks," said Miss Baker to the four cocktails just in from the pantry, "I'm absolutely in training."

Her host looked at her incredulously.

"You are!" He took down his drink as if it were a drop in the bottom of a glass. "How you ever get anything done is beyond me."


Thank you!

Haihao
Haihao
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Joined: 26 Oct 2006
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In the bottom vs. On the bottom #2 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:33 am   In the bottom vs. On the bottom
 

.
Yes, here 'in' is expected, as the basal area or diameter of the container is relatively small relative to its height. For broad expanses, like the Pacific Ocean, 'on the bottom' is appropriate. In your context, if the host were drinking from a shallow bowl, he would more probably use 'on'. (And of course from a distance, the item is 'at the bottom', since it appears more as a point source.)

It is the same at / in / on relationship that we observe elsewhere. Of course, there are often instances when any will do.
.
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In the bottom vs. On the bottom #3 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:14 am   In the bottom vs. On the bottom
 

I have learned much again, Mr. Micawber. Prepositions are always one of my confusions. From your explanation, I have got a feeling that I should be always focused on the actual situation I am put in to apply the preposition to in stead of mechanically running after prepositional phrases.

Thank you again!

Haihao
Haihao
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Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan

In the bottom vs. On the bottom #4 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:48 am   In the bottom vs. On the bottom
 

.
Yes, I don't think that prepositions collocate particularly highly with their head nouns in prepositional phrases, Haihao. On the other hand, prepositions/adverbs/particles in phrasal verbs do collocate very highly-- so it's important to check where the preposition associates in a given sentence.
.
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In the bottom vs. On the bottom #5 (permalink) Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:05 am   In the bottom vs. On the bottom
 

Oh, it is really penetrating and helpful to distinguish prepositional phrases and phrasal verbs this way! This is like a synergistic effect for the best understanding of both. Thanks again, Mr. Micawber!

Haihao
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan

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