When to use 'in' and 'on'?

[jinkazamaa]

Hello,

I'm not a native speaker, so sometimes it's hard for me to know when to use 'in' and 'on'.

Cheers
Jin

[Alan]

Hi Jin,

This is a very difficult question to answer specifically because there are so many uses for both prepositions. Generally (and I do mean very generally) 'in' has the idea of 'inside' and 'on' suggests 'on top of'. In the simplest form we would say: I have put the book on the table in the kitchen.

You might like to look at a piece I've written for the site on prepositions:

http://www.english-test.net/lessons/4/index.html

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Everything in the Garden is lovely

[jinkazamaa]

Thanks.

Just a simple question: "In here" or "on here"?

[Haihao]

Never "on here", I think.

[jinkazamaa]

I also think so.

It's always hard for me. For example: "On monday" isn't related to what Alan said.

[con ong vang]

I think :IN HERE is right

[Alan]

Hi,

'In here' suggests, as I said, 'inside' here and 'on here' suggests 'on top of here (this place)'. The plate is in here (the cupboard) and I've put the the vase on here (the shelf).

What's the problem?

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Subjunctive

[Yankee]

[Haihao]

My limitation also allows me to understand 'on here' would only be possible when 'on' is attached to another word. 'What's going on here' is absolutely alrihgt and if I say I've put the vase on here', then it seems to me that it should be taken as: I've put the vase on in here' = I've tried the vase on in here'.