Talking about transportation: When do we use ride in, ride on, or take?

[glitters4u]

Hello,
I am teaching in Japan and am wondering if anyone can help me with this question. When we are talking about transportation, when do we use ride in, ride on, or take ???
Hope to hear from someone soon.
Thanks
Rhiannon

[Alan]

Hi,

'Take' when used with transport that is mechanically driven is probably the most common and innocuous. 'Ride on' would suggest that the rider is sitting on top of something as in bicycle or horse. When we transfer this idea to something like a bus/train it suggests to me that doing this is some sort of special event or treat or new experience as in: We went for a ride on that new type of bus where you have a 360 degree panoramic view. 'Ride in' would indicate that you are inside and can be seen from the outside as in: The king and queen were riding in a gold carriage drawn by six horses.

Just some thoughts but no doubt others will pick holes in them!

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/run