|
|
 #2 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 21:48 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Hi Tom
"On the bus" is a commonly used collocation, of course. However, I'd say you could use either one. What's the broader context? I'd say the use of "in" will focus the idea more exclusively and literally on the idea of "inside" (rather than "outside").
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 22:02 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Hi, Amy
So, if somebody from work calls me on my cell phone to inquire where I am (suppose I'm running late), I can reply:
I'm on the bus/trolleybus/tram right now, in two minutes will be at work
Thanks ! |
|
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 22:06 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Hi Alex
Yes, I'd use "on" to indicate that I am currently a passenger on a bus/train/trolley.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #5 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 22:15 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Thank you, Amy
In fact, it is a very frequently used phrase, seeing as (at least in my country) people often call each other on cellular phones only to ask where they are at the moment. :) (like "where are you?" "I'm on the bus") |
|
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
|
|
| #6 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 22:55 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
| lost_soul wrote: |
| In fact, it is a very frequently used phrase, seeing as (at least in my country) people often call each other on cellular phones only to ask where they are at the moment. :) (like "where are you?" "I'm on the bus") |
Not only in your country, believe me. This is what you'd here any given day of the week (of course, you don't usually hear the person on the other end):
'Hel-lo!'
...
'Hey Jimmy, how's tricks.'
...
'I'm on the 15B into town, ya know, still on Rathgar Road stuck in bleedin' traffic just before the roundabout in Rathmines, ya know, probably another 5 to 10 minutes to Swan Centre I'd say, so it'd be like 5ish till I get to Dame Street, right, but I'll sure meet ya some time between half 5 and 6 at the Burger King on Grafton, I reckon.'
...
'Oh, yer not coming out tonight. Fair play to you, not a worry, talk to ya soon.'
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher |
|
 Ralf
Language Coach
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 1564
Location: EU (Ireland and Germany)
|
|
| #7 (permalink) Sun Sep 14, 2008 23:43 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
.
On the off chance that you're all misinterpreting my first post, the expression "on the bus" is definitely the most likely collocation you'll hear. It's very commonly used.
However, a possible use of "in" cannot be completely ruled out. The broader context could actually make "in" more appropriate.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #8 (permalink) Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:15 am "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Hi Amy,
Could you please be more specific about the broader context?
Many thanks,
Nessie
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(
Sorry seems to be the hardest word... |
|
Nessie
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 1102
|
|
| #9 (permalink) Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:19 am "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
| lost_soul wrote: |
Hi, Amy
So, if somebody from work calls me on my cell phone to inquire where I am (suppose I'm running late), I can reply:
I'm on the bus/trolleybus/tram right now, in two minutes will be at work
Thanks ! |
Yes. "One the bus" normally has the meaning of "I'm traveling". |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
|
|
| #10 (permalink) Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:38 am "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
Hi Molly,
I think you've hit the nail on the head - on the bus = travelling by bus. In the/a bus = location inside the bus.
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13891
Location: UK
|
|
| #11 (permalink) Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:06 am "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
| Alan wrote: |
Hi Molly,
I think you've hit the nail on the head - on the bus = travelling by bus. In the/a bus = location inside the bus.
Alan |
Indeed. And what about "I'm in/on the toilet"? :oops: :wink:
In this context:
in the = location
on the = location and action |
|
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
|
|
| #12 (permalink) Mon Sep 15, 2008 13:33 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
| nessie wrote: |
| Hi Amy,Could you please be more specific about the broader context? |
Hi Nessie
Using "on the bus" includes the general idea of "in" but also focuses on the idea of the bus as a means of transportation. Depending on the broader context, you might want to focus exclusively on the idea of physically being inside the bus (in contrast to being outside the bus). Something like this, perhaps:
We had broken down, and while we were waiting in the breakdown lane for road service, a tractor-trailer nearly sideswiped our bus. The truck hit six of the people who'd left the bus. All six of them died. Fortunately, I was in the bus when the accident took place, and that probably saved my life. If I'd been standing next to the bus like those other six people, that truck might have killed me too!
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
|
| #13 (permalink) Wed Jun 09, 2010 17:08 pm 'on the Bus' or 'in the Bus' |
|
|
Which of the following is correct?
i) I'm sitting on the bus.
ii) I'm sitting in the bus. |
|
Leong187
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 04 Dec 2008
Posts: 110
|
|
| #14 (permalink) Wed Jun 09, 2010 17:13 pm 'on the Bus' or 'in the Bus' |
|
|
| People usually say "on the bus." Actually, I've never heard anybody say "in the bus." I never thought about this before, but I guess it's pretty odd. |
|
Mordant
Language Coach
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 1964
Location: United States
|
|
| #15 (permalink) Wed Jun 09, 2010 17:25 pm "In the bus" or "on the bus" |
|
|
| So, is it correct to say 'I'm sitting on the car'? |
|
Leong187
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 04 Dec 2008
Posts: 110
|
|
|
| He's a square | "that" as "and" |
