Fussing over "team"

[Li Chyan]

Hello!
I have a simple question, however I have exerted my utmost in trying to find the answer to it. What preposition should be used with the word "team"? For instance, "to be on one's team" or "to be in one's team"?
Thanking in advance!

[Alan]

Hi,

This very much depends on the involvement you are referring to. If you are talking about particular membership, you would say: Charlie is in the team that is playing tonight. If you are describing the fact that someone has joined a team and is therefore on the list of members you could say: Charlie is on the team that is playing tonight.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Li Chyan]

Thanx for the explanation, however I still don't quite grasp the difference between "in the team" and "on the team". Therefore, my question is:
Would it be a big mistake to use them interchangeably or just use one of them in every context?

[Esl_Expert]

Hello Li Chyan,

In American English, saying that "someone is on a team" is likely to sound just fine in just about any context.

.
Actually, I don't really understand Alan's example either. lol
It may possibly be more usual to use "in a team" in the UK than it is here in the US. Maybe Alan will provide a bit more detail on that.
:wink:
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"Before he can create, man must have a deep awareness of the world about him."

[Alan]

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Hi Li,

Let me have another try. 'On a team' to me suggests that you are on the list that gives details of who the members are. 'In the team' is more precise suggesting that you are personally involved in the team and that you are part of the team.

Any good?

Let's give some sentences: I've just heard the news. They have accepted me and I am now in the team and will be enrolled today as a member.

I've looked at the membership in the newspaper and I see there are several members on the team that I don't know.

Best I can do!

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

[Li Chyan]

Well, many thanks to Alan for his second try!Now it's quite clear to me:) Thanks to Esl_Expert as well)When I was in the USA, I actually heard people quite often say "on a team". That's why I thought one could use "on a team" in any context.