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Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between In and On

In vs OnPrepositions are the words that are used in sentences to show location or the relationship between the noun or pronoun with the other element in the clause. English speakers usually face confusion in using prepositions like ‘in’ and ‘on’. We use the word ‘in‘ when we talk about a situation in which something is enclosed by something else.

On the other hand, ‘on‘ is used to talk about a situation when the object is placed above or outside something else. Now, let’s take a look at these examples to understand them in a better way:

  • When I was in London, I was working on a client Project.
  • I don’t know what’s going on, in her mind.

In the first sentence, ‘in’ is used with the name of the country, while ‘on’ is used to show a relation with something. In the next sentence, ‘in’ is used to express something closed off by something else, while on is used to show a process.

Content: In Vs On

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Examples
  5. How to remember the difference

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonInOn
Meaning'In' is a preposition, commonly used to show a situation when something is enclosed or surrounded by something else.'On' refers to a preposition that expresses a situation when something is positioned above something else.
Pronunciationɪnɒn
Usage by timeMonths, Years, Season, Decades and Century.Days, Dates and Special Occasions.
Usage by placeName of town, city, state, and country.Street names.
ExampleShe is sitting in her room.I will meet her on Monday.
May I come in the class.Shweta's birthday is on 25th of February.
Aliya lives in DubaiKarishma is on her way to London.

Definition of In

The word ‘in’ is a preposition, used in sentences to mean something in an enclosed place (i.e. a space having physical or virtual boundaries) or surrounded by something else. We’ll understand the use of ‘in’ with the help of the points given below:

  1. When something is inside an object or place or enclosed by something:
    • Maaya is sitting in the park.
    • My daughter studies in St. Xavier’s College.
    • Ajita is among the top hairdresser in Delhi.
    • What was there in your pocket?
  2. It can be used to denote, into something:
    • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
  3. It indicates a part of a larger group or something else.
    • Shahrukh Khan played a lead role in ‘Raees’.
    • He has been working in this company for ages.
  4. It is used to express the time period.
    • The movie was released in 1994.
    • This is the first time I am going to London, in 10 years.
  5. It can be used with parts of the day:
    • I will meet you in the morning.
    • Exception: There is one exception to this rule, and that we use at night, and not in the night.
  6. It is also used to imply not exceeding the time specified:
    • The counsellor will arrive, in a couple of hours.
    • Can you submit the project in two days?
  7. To express an experience:
    • I fell in love with Priyanka Chopra.
    • She was in hurry, as she had an interview today.
  8. To express something is performed as a result of some other event:
    • She offered me chocolates in return for my gift.

Definition of On

The word ‘on’ refers to a situation in which something is in physical contact with something else or having the support of the something. Let’s discuss when to use ‘on’ in the sentences:

  1. To represent something is placed above something and is in touch with it:
    • Your document folder is on the top of the almirah.
    • I saw a beggar yesterday, standing on the roadside.
  2. To show connectivity to something:
    • There is a big painting on the wall?
  3. To indicate time, i.e. days, dates and special days:
    • The birthday party will be held on Sunday.
    • My son’s birthday is on 14th Feb.
  4. To represent a process:
    • She is on her way to Paris.
    • Pihu is on leave this month, due to her brother’s marriage.
  5. When relating to something:
    • Kriti wrote a novel on dreams and passion.
    • Do you think, your speech has any effect on them?
  6. When we talk about the day with a part of the day:
    • We left for the picnic, on Sunday morning.

Key Differences Between In and On

The points given below are substantial so far as the difference between in and on is concerned:

  1. ‘In’ implies a preposition, that represents a situation in which something is surrounded by something else. Conversely, ‘on’ is used in the situation when something is in physical contact with the surface of another object.
  2. ‘In’ is used when we are talking about months, years, seasons, decades and centuries. As against, ‘on’ is used when we are referring to days, dates and special occasions.
  3. If we talk about a place, usually ‘in’ is used with the name of the town, city, state and country, whereas ‘on’ is used with street names.

Examples

In

  • Economic liberalization was initiated in 1991, in India.
  • Several people are swimming in the pool.
  • The Principal will be arriving in a few minutes.

On

  • Your success depends on your hard work.
  • On our vacations, we went to Agra.
  • There is a red spot on the wall.

How to remember the difference

To know the difference between in and on, one must know about their uses first. Secondly, there are certain rules regarding the use of the words in and on, which must be understood clearly, to use them correctly and confidently in the sentences.

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Comments

  1. ZAKKY says

    September 13, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    please sir, which statement is correct among these:

    He is on white dress
    or
    He is in white dress

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      September 14, 2018 at 9:44 am

      He is in white dress is correct.

      Reply
  2. Arslan says

    January 26, 2019 at 8:15 am

    Sir kindly answer me
    Weather
    The police arrived in time correct
    Or
    The police arrived on time

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      January 28, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Police arrived on time is correct

      Reply
      • Todd Goes says

        December 6, 2023 at 9:09 pm

        Both are correct, on time and in time, but they have different meanings. “On time” means someone arrived at the time they were supposed to arrive. “In time” means someone arrived before the time they were supposed to arrive.

        Reply
  3. Appu says

    March 26, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    The birds built a nest in the tree. Or The birds built a nest on the tree. Or The birds built a nest over the tree

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      April 2, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      The birds built a nest in the tree.

      Reply
  4. Shaina Mae Secopito says

    March 27, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    What is correct?

    Help us on our review or help us in our review?

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 26, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      I would say “Help us WITH our review” instead of using in or on.

      Reply
  5. Rod Brindamour says

    April 6, 2019 at 10:16 pm

    Better

    Reply
  6. Ed says

    April 30, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    Which is correct please:

    Classified as expense “ON” the financial statements? or

    Classified as expense “IN” the financial statements?

    Thanks much!

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      May 1, 2019 at 9:43 am

      Classified as expense “IN” the financial statements

      Reply
      • John says

        July 15, 2021 at 11:43 pm

        Thank You

        Reply
  7. Maria B says

    May 23, 2019 at 3:54 am

    Please, sir, which one is correct:

    The information was on certificate No. 55
    The information was in certificate No. 55

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      May 23, 2019 at 9:48 am

      Both are correct, but the information was in certificate no. 55 is more appropriate

      Reply
  8. Alex C says

    May 29, 2019 at 12:22 am

    Which one is correct:

    The change will be reflected “IN” tomorrow’s report.
    The change will be reflected “ON” tomorrow’s report.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      May 29, 2019 at 9:59 am

      “The change will be reflected in tomorrow’s report”, is the correct answer.

      Reply
      • Dileep Madhu says

        June 28, 2019 at 3:11 pm

        To book seats on air flights or in air flights? Which is correct?

        Reply
        • Surbhi S says

          June 28, 2019 at 4:16 pm

          To book seats in air flights is correct.

          Reply
    • Danny says

      October 3, 2019 at 5:51 am

      Is in the drawing or Is on the drawing.
      To omit in the drawing or
      to omit on the drawing

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        May 26, 2021 at 7:38 pm

        You would not use in or on. “Omit (delete) the drawing.” Unless you mean something within the drawing and not the entire drawing.

        Reply
  9. Mark Adam says

    August 21, 2019 at 2:25 am

    hi sir. is it “in today’s episode or “on today’s episode”? help will be much appreciated.

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      August 21, 2019 at 12:10 pm

      Both are correct, but ‘In today’s episode’ is more suitable.

      Reply
      • Verónica Canales says

        September 13, 2022 at 9:42 am

        rewrite your name in the notebook heading or rewrite your name on your notebook heading, which is correct?

        Reply
  10. Rol C. A. says

    September 18, 2019 at 9:49 am

    In May 19-23, 1997, or On May 19-23, 1997.
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      September 18, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      On May 19-23, 1997 is correct.

      Reply
  11. Frank says

    September 26, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Sir which is correct ? in the front seat and on the back seats.? Why the former uses in and the latter uses on.

    Reply
    • Aakanksh Bansal says

      September 3, 2020 at 8:06 pm

      I guess “on the front seat” will be better.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        May 26, 2021 at 7:33 pm

        In is always used for seats. On would be better with a sofa/couch.
        Example: “Please stay in your seat while the bus is moving.”

        Reply
  12. VALDECIR FERREIRA DE MELO says

    September 27, 2019 at 3:17 am

    A question: I am IN a bus or ON a bus? Which is more appropriated?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 26, 2021 at 7:32 pm

      It is “on a bus”… I got on the bus at the station, for example. You are technically inside the bus, but the preposition we use is “on”.
      But for cars, you would say “in”. “Get in the car!”

      Reply
  13. Mary says

    September 29, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    What is correct?

    She is in the house or she is on the house?

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:59 am

      She is in the house, is correct.

      Reply
  14. Danica says

    October 26, 2019 at 8:04 am

    Sir, what to use when we refer to a person?

    As long as there is a touch of Halloween on you or
    As long as there is a touch of Halloween in you?

    Please help!

    Reply
    • Tae says

      November 12, 2019 at 11:33 pm

      Which is correct??
      Affected on accident by gravel truck
      Afected in accident by gravel truck

      Reply
      • Asma says

        July 10, 2020 at 10:01 pm

        Affected in accident is correct.. In this sentence ‘in’ is used to show the result of accident.

        Thanks

        Reply
  15. John Lloyd says

    October 28, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    Which is appropriate? Crushes in one photo. Or Crushes on one photo?

    Reply
  16. merci says

    November 19, 2019 at 9:08 am

    I’m confused…which one is correct: I found this on Quora or I found this in Quora?

    please help. thank you

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      November 19, 2019 at 9:43 am

      I found this on Quora

      Reply
  17. Kuku T. Lopez says

    March 1, 2020 at 12:32 am

    Sir:

    Which one is correct: “Write your answer in the space provided.” or “Write your answer on the space provided.”
    Which one is correct “Write your answer in the blank,” or “Write your answer on the blank.”
    Which one is correct “Write your answer in the line provided? or Write your answer on the line provided.”

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 26, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      in, in, on (for each one in order)

      Reply
  18. Barb says

    March 3, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Is an object in a graph or on a graph?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 26, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      On a graph

      Reply
  19. mackoy veluz says

    July 16, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    What is the correct:
    No equivalent on the sales report
    or
    No equivalent in the sales report

    Reply
  20. Derick says

    July 23, 2020 at 10:38 am

    Partnerships IN Basic Education or
    Partnerships ON Basic Education?

    Reply
    • RRupe says

      February 16, 2021 at 11:14 am

      Partnerships IN Basic Education is correct,

      Reply
  21. Mirie says

    August 9, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    To the north in the Atlantic coast or to the north on the Atlantic coast?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 26, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      On (think: you are on the sand, on a beach, on the coast)

      Reply
  22. leslie says

    September 20, 2020 at 11:12 am

    what is correct?

    The actor on the movie…
    or
    The actor in the movie…

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      September 21, 2020 at 9:32 am

      The actor in the movie, is correct

      Reply
  23. Jovelyn Fabellar says

    October 13, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    The nuts are now in pouch or on pouch?
    Thank you

    Reply
  24. Ana says

    April 25, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    Which is correct,
    expertise in criminal defense
    or
    expertise on criminal defense

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      April 26, 2021 at 9:33 am

      Expertise in criminal defense is correct

      Reply
  25. Linoy says

    May 9, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    Hey 🙂

    If “on” is physical, why do we say ON Facebook?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  26. Shelly says

    October 21, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    Please answer why the difference with in vs. on regarding transportation.

    I am on the plane.
    I am in the car.

    I am on the train.
    I am in the motorhome.

    I am on the bus.
    I am in the camper.

    Reply
  27. Mthandeni says

    November 4, 2021 at 8:06 am

    This was very fruitful

    Reply
  28. Stephen Ishaya says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:35 pm

    Which is correct?

    He is on his bed
    Or
    He is in his bed

    Reply
  29. Cyanvi Alas says

    December 12, 2022 at 2:15 pm

    Which is correct?

    There is a discrepancy on the logbook

    or

    There is a discrepancy in the logbook

    Thank you so much…

    Reply
  30. Noman says

    July 5, 2023 at 10:56 pm

    I really want this type of article..

    Reply

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