on
on — preposition
1. touching the top or outer side of something, or moving into that place.
touching the top or outer side of something, or moving into that place.
The keys are on the kitchen table beside Dad's newspaper.
on + surface noun
Lina dropped her wet towel on the chair by the window.
movement onto a surface
A small bird landed on Marcus's shoulder during the picnic.
on + body part
Please put the soup bowls on the counter after dinner.
Snow stayed on the mountain until late April.
- on the table
- on the floor
- on the chair
- land on
- put on
Grammar Patterns
on + surface/body-part noun
put/place/land + on + noun
Usage Note
The noun after 'on' is usually a physical surface or body part. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about simple position or movement into contact, while sense 2 often involves covering, wearing, or attachment.
Common Mistakes
2. spread across a surface, worn or carried by someone, or fixed to another thing.
spread across a surface, worn or carried by someone, or fixed to another thing.
Sophie wore a silver ring on her smallest finger.
wear + thing + on + body part
There was mud on the dog's paws after the river walk.
covering a surface
The baby had a blanket on his lap in the car.
The small button on the radio no longer works.
part attached to an object
Maya pinned a paper flower on her denim jacket.
- on your finger
- on your lap
- on the wall
- on the radio
- mud on
- off
removed from the body, surface, or object
Grammar Patterns
wear/have/carry + thing + on + noun
something + on + machine/body/surface noun
Usage Note
Common with clothes, body parts, surfaces, and parts of machines. Distinguish from sense 1: here the thing is often worn, hanging, covering, or attached rather than simply resting in a place.
Common Mistakes
3. marking the day, date, or occasion when something happens.
marking the day, date, or occasion when something happens.
We always eat noodles on Friday nights after basketball practice.
on + day + part of day
Ken's visa ends on 30 June, so he must renew it.
on + date
The museum is closed on national holidays in winter.
On my birthday, Grandma phones before breakfast every year.
on + special occasion
The train leaves on Monday morning at half past six.
- on Monday
- on Friday night
- on my birthday
- on 30 June
- on national holidays
Grammar Patterns
on + day/date noun
on + day + part of day
on + special occasion noun
Usage Note
Use this sense with days, dates, and named occasions. Compare 'at' for clock times ('at six') and 'in' for months, years, and longer periods ('in June', 'in winter').
Common Mistakes
4. marking the surface where words, numbers, or pictures appear.
marking the surface where words, numbers, or pictures appear.
Mia drew a red star on the corner of the map.
draw + on + surface
The nurse wrote Daniel's temperature on a paper bracelet.
write + on + surface
Please sign your name on the last page of the form.
sign + on + document
Someone had painted a tiger on the school gate.
The price was printed on the bottom of the box.
passive: printed on + surface
- write on
- print on
- draw on
- sign on
- paint on
Grammar Patterns
write/print/draw/sign + on + surface noun
Usage Note
The noun after 'on' is the surface carrying the marks, such as paper, a wall, a sign, a page, or a screen. Distinguish from sense 2: in this sense, the important idea is that information or a picture appears there.
Common Mistakes
5. marking the vehicle or other means a person uses to move from place to place.
marking the vehicle or other means a person uses to move from place to place.
We reached the lake on foot because the road was flooded.
fixed phrase: on foot
Nina reads comic books on the bus to school.
on + the + vehicle noun
The guide crossed the field on horseback before sunrise.
fixed phrase: on horseback
Most workers come on the early train from Taoyuan.
After lunch, we toured the old town on rented bikes.
- on foot
- on the bus
- on the train
- on horseback
- on bikes
- by
names the travel method in a more general way: 'by bus', 'by train'
Grammar Patterns
on + the + vehicle noun
on foot
on horseback
on + plural vehicle noun
Usage Note
Use this sense for travel by bus, train, horse, bicycle, and in the fixed phrase 'on foot'. Compare 'by bus' or 'by train', which name the method more generally and not the experience of being on the vehicle.
Common Mistakes
6. showing that a person or thing is in a temporary state or going through a formal
showing that a person or thing is in a temporary state or going through a formal or public process.
The garage is on fire, so call the fire station.
be on + dangerous state
Several nurses stayed on duty through the stormy night.
be on + duty
The mayor is on trial for taking money from builders.
be on + legal process
Many factory workers went on strike before the New Year.
go on strike
Maya is on leave until her baby is three months old.
- on fire
- on duty
- on trial
- on strike
- on leave
- under
used in some nearby collocations such as 'under pressure' or 'under repair', but not with the same set of fixed phrases
Grammar Patterns
be on + state/process noun
go on strike
be on leave/trial/duty/fire
Usage Note
Usually appears in fixed phrases after 'be', 'go', or 'stay'. The noun after 'on' names the state or process itself, not the thing providing support. Distinguish from sense 15: sense 6 is about being in a condition or action ('on strike', 'on trial'), while sense 15 names what someone or something lives or runs on.
Common Mistakes
7. used before a medium or instrument to show what something is recorded, broadcast
used before a medium or instrument to show what something is recorded, broadcast, or played through.
The interview was recorded on video for the school news website.
recorded on + medium
Lina heard the weather report on the radio before breakfast.
on the radio — broadcast medium
Grandpa still has our parents' wedding on film in a tin box.
Mika can play that folk tune on the violin now.
play [piece] on + instrument
- on video
- on the radio
- on film
- on TV
- on the violin
- on the piano
Grammar Patterns
recorded on + medium noun
play + piece on + musical instrument
Usage Note
The noun after 'on' is usually a medium or instrument: radio, video, film, TV, piano, guitar. Distinguish from sense 4 (WRITING), which marks the surface where words or pictures appear.
Common Mistakes
8. used after a verb of contact to name the thing that hurts or injures you when yo
used after a verb of contact to name the thing that hurts or injures you when you touch it.
Noah banged his elbow on the bus door this morning.
bang + body part + on + object
Emma cut her finger on a broken jar in the sink.
cut + body part + on + sharp object
Grandpa bruised his shin on the low garden wall.
The little boy scraped his knee on the pool steps.
- hit your head on
- bang your elbow on
- cut your finger on
- scrape your knee on
- bruise your shin on
Grammar Patterns
hit + body part + on + object
cut/scrape + body part + on + sharp object
Usage Note
Usually follows verbs such as hit, bang, cut, bruise, or scrape. The noun after 'on' is often a hard edge, rough surface, or sharp object.
Common Mistakes
9. in the direction of a person, place, or target, especially when moving at it or
in the direction of a person, place, or target, especially when moving at it or attacking it.
Before dawn, the soldiers marched on the border town.
march on + place
The rebels opened fire on the bridge from the trees.
fire on + target
After lunch, public anger turned on the mayor again.
turn on + target
The farmer set the sheepdog on the fox near the hedge.
set [animal] on + target
- march on
- move on
- open fire on
- turn on
- set [someone] on
- away from
shows movement in the opposite direction
Grammar Patterns
verb of movement + on + place
verb of attack + on + target
Usage Note
Most common after verbs of attack or forward movement, such as march, fire, turn, or set. Distinguish from sense 1 (ABOVE), where 'on' describes physical contact with a surface.
Common Mistakes
10. about a particular subject, issue, or area of study.
about a particular subject, issue, or area of study.
Professor Lin gave a short talk on sea turtles.
talk on + topic
Maya needs your advice on the flat before signing.
advice on + matter
The library has three books on Korean cooking.
book on + subject
We had a long discussion on bus safety at school.
discussion on + issue
Lina wrote her paper on local birds last term.
- a book on
- a talk on
- advice on
- an opinion on
- a paper on
- a discussion on
- about
the closest everyday equivalent
- concerning
more formal, especially in writing
Grammar Patterns
noun of communication + on + topic
book/paper/talk + on + subject
Usage Note
Common after nouns or verbs of speaking, writing, teaching, and thinking: book on, talk on, opinion on, advice on, lecture on. Distinguish from sense 12, which follows verbs of dependence or basis such as depend on or base on.
Common Mistakes
11. used after money words or spending verbs to name what the money is paying for.
used after money words or spending verbs to name what the money is paying for.
Maya spent all her birthday money on art paper.
spend money on + thing
Dad put a deposit on the blue van yesterday.
put a deposit on + purchase
The family wastes too much money on food deliveries.
Our class spent more on the trip than on lunch.
compare spending: more on X than on Y
- spend money on
- waste money on
- save money on
- put a deposit on
- more on ... than on ...
Grammar Patterns
spend money on + thing
put a deposit on + purchase
Usage Note
Usually appears after spend, waste, save, or nouns such as money, cost, and deposit. The noun after 'on' is the item, service, or event that receives the payment.
Common Mistakes
12. used after verbs like depend, rely, or base to show the person, thing, or fact t
used after verbs like depend, rely, or base to show the person, thing, or fact that something needs or comes from.
Saturday's match depends on the weather after lunch.
depend on + condition
The twins rely on their aunt for after-school care.
rely on + person
The judge based his choice on one clear message.
base ... on + source
Our whole plan hangs on Maya finishing the last page.
hang on + person/action
The case rested on a single photo from the station.
- depend on
- rely on
- based on
- rest on
- hang on
- hinge on
- because of
shows cause, but it does not express dependence or support as clearly as this sense
- from
can mark origin with some verbs, but not with fixed patterns such as 'depend on' or 'based on'
Grammar Patterns
depend on + condition/person
rely on + person/thing
base + noun + on + source
Usage Note
Common after depend, rely, base, rest, hang, and hinge. A following clause is often introduced by 'whether' or an -ing form, as in 'depends on whether it rains' or 'depends on Maya arriving early'.
Common Mistakes
13. used with a task, case, programme, or project to show that someone has a job or
used with a task, case, programme, or project to show that someone has a job or active role there.
Marcus is on the airport case with two senior detectives.
be on + case for active involvement
Three nurses are on night duty during the holiday weekend.
on duty = assigned task
Nina worked on the museum project all summer.
Which students are on the exchange program in Osaka this term?
on + program for participation
Only two reporters stayed on the story after midnight.
- on duty
- on the case
- on the project
- on the exchange program
- involved in
a fuller phrase that states participation more directly
- working on
common with projects and cases, but less natural with duties or programmes
- taking part in
best for events and activities rather than assigned tasks
Grammar Patterns
be on + case/duty/program
work on + project
stay on + story
Usage Note
Often follows verbs such as 'be', 'work', or 'stay'. The object is usually a task, duty, case, project, programme, or trip rather than a formal organization. Distinguish from sense 17, which is more about membership in an established group.
Common Mistakes
14. used before a wage, pension, allowance, or other source of money to show what so
used before a wage, pension, allowance, or other source of money to show what someone depends on in order to live.
After the factory closed, the family lived on Mei's small salary.
live on + income source
Grandpa gets by on a farm pension and free meals.
Can four children really survive on one part-time job?
survive on + limited income
During college, Rosa was on a music scholarship.
be on + scholarship
The cafe cannot run on weekend tourists alone.
- live on a salary
- get by on a pension
- survive on one income
- be on a scholarship
Grammar Patterns
live on + salary
survive on + income
be on + scholarship
Usage Note
Usually follows 'live', 'survive', 'get by', or 'be'. The object is a source of money such as a salary, pension, allowance, scholarship, or customer base, not food or fuel; compare sense 15.
Common Mistakes
15. used before food, fuel, or medicine to show what keeps a person, animal, machine
used before food, fuel, or medicine to show what keeps a person, animal, machine, or treatment going.
The old bus runs on diesel from a farm station.
run on + fuel
Baby goats can live on milk for several weeks.
After surgery, Ken was on soup and pain pills.
be on + medicine or diet
In winter, the stove works on wood from the shed.
Wild ducks feed on rice left in the fields.
feed on + regular food source
- run on diesel
- live on milk
- be on antibiotics
- feed on rice
Grammar Patterns
run on + fuel
feed on + food
be on + medicine/diet
Usage Note
Common after 'live', 'feed', 'run', 'work', or 'be'. The object names what provides nourishment, power, or treatment, so it can be food for living things, fuel for machines, or medicine for patients. Distinguish from sense 14, where the support is money.
Common Mistakes
16. used for a place beside a road, river, coast, wall, or similar line, often follo
used for a place beside a road, river, coast, wall, or similar line, often following its side.
The Chen family rented a small cabin on the river near Hualien.
on + river = beside it
A row of shops stands on both sides of the road.
on both sides of
Our hotel is on the beach, five minutes from the station.
There is a tea house on the path up the hill.
on + path/road for location beside it
Several farms lie on the French border in that valley.
- on the river
- on the beach
- on the road
- on the border
- away from
shows separation from the road, river, coast, or other line
Grammar Patterns
on + river/coast/beach
on + road/path
on + border
Usage Note
The object is usually a road, river, coast, beach, path, wall, or border, and the subject is often a place located beside it. If one thing is touching the surface of another, use sense 1 or 2 instead.
Common Mistakes
17. used with a committee, team, jury, or similar group to show that someone belongs
used with a committee, team, jury, or similar group to show that someone belongs to it as a member.
Aiko serves on the city arts committee this year.
serve on + committee
Two parents sit on the school board this year.
sit on + board
Marcus was on the jury for the robbery trial.
be on the jury
How long has Dr. Wu been on the ethics panel?
Rina is on the national swim team again.
- serve on a committee
- sit on the board
- on the jury
- on the team
- outside
shows that someone is not included in the group
Grammar Patterns
serve on + committee
sit on + board/panel
be on + jury/team
Usage Note
Frequently used after 'be', 'serve', and 'sit'. The object is normally a committee, board, panel, jury, or team with recognized membership. Distinguish from sense 13, which can describe temporary involvement in a task or project.
Common Mistakes
18. used before a device, instrument, machine, or system to show what someone uses t
used before a device, instrument, machine, or system to show what someone uses to do something.
Mina booked the tickets on her phone during lunch.
do something on + device
The children learned their first song on the piano.
play or learn on + instrument
Dad cut the pipe on a machine in the garage.
Most customers pay on the app before pickup.
pay on + app or platform
The nurse entered each name on a tablet at the door.
enter information on + device
- on your phone
- on the app
- on the piano
- on a tablet
Grammar Patterns
do/buy/pay on + device or app
play/learn on + instrument
enter on + system
Usage Note
The object is a device, instrument, machine, platform, or system used to do the action. Distinguish from sense 4 when 'on' marks where words or pictures appear, and from sense 7 when it marks the form or medium of a performance or record.
Common Mistakes
19. used with the same noun repeated to show one similar event or thing following an
used with the same noun repeated to show one similar event or thing following another.
Loss on loss followed the club through a miserable spring.
repeated noun pattern: loss on loss
Wave on wave crashed against the harbor wall all night.
wave on wave for repeated movement
Question on question came after the principal mentioned higher fees.
Complaint on complaint reached the airline desk after the cancellation.
Day on day, Leo looked paler during his long fever.
time noun repeated for gradual change
- loss on loss
- wave on wave
- question on question
- day on day
- after another
used in phrases such as 'one after another'; less compact than repeating the noun with 'on'
- repeatedly
gives the general idea, but it does not create the same stacked pattern
Grammar Patterns
loss on loss
wave on wave
day on day
Usage Note
Mostly appears in repeated-noun patterns such as 'loss on loss' and 'wave on wave'. It emphasizes one similar event after another, rather than simple frequency.
Common Mistakes
20. used to measure one result, amount, or version against another.
used to measure one result, amount, or version against another.
This year's sales are up on last year's even without ads.
up on for comparison with an earlier figure
Mina's second sketch improves on her first one in every way.
improve on + earlier version
Attendance was five students down on Monday's total.
down on for a lower comparison
No runner this year came close to improving on Sara's record.
The team's score was three points up on Saturday's result.
- improve on the original
- up on last year
- down on Monday
- better on paper
- compared with
more explicit and neutral, especially in formal writing
- against
common when figures or results are set beside a standard
Grammar Patterns
improve on [thing]
up on [earlier figure]
down on [earlier figure]
Usage Note
Most common after verbs such as 'improve' or with phrases like 'up on' and 'down on'. Distinguish from sense 10, where 'on' shows topic or relation rather than a direct comparison.
Common Mistakes
21. used to say that someone has an item physically with them, for example in a pock
used to say that someone has an item physically with them, for example in a pocket, wallet, or handbag.
Do you have any cash on you for the night market?
have + thing + on you
Rosa never keeps her passport on her during school trips.
keep + item + on her
The guard asked whether I had my ID on me.
By luck, Ethan had a phone charger on him that day.
Nobody in our group had medicine on them for bee stings.
- have cash on you
- have ID on me
- keep a passport on her
- have medicine on them
Grammar Patterns
have [thing] on me
have [thing] on you
keep [thing] on + pronoun
Usage Note
Usually follows 'have', 'keep', or 'carry', and the object after 'on' is normally a person pronoun such as 'me', 'you', or 'her'. It points to things physically with the person, not things they own in general.
Common Mistakes
22. used before an event or piece of information that another action follows from, o
used before an event or piece of information that another action follows from, often both later in time and because of it.
On hearing the fire bell, the cooks ran into the street.
on + -ing for action after a trigger
On losing their father, the twins moved in with Aunt May.
Acting on a neighbour's call, police checked the empty shop.
act on + information received
On coming back from lunch, Mei saw water across the floor.
On the news of cheaper tickets, fans booked seats that night.
- act on information
- on hearing the news
- on losing a parent
- on coming back
Grammar Patterns
act on [information]
on hearing [news]
on returning [place]
Usage Note
Often appears in phrases like 'on hearing...' or after verbs such as 'act'. The event after 'on' is usually the trigger for what happens next, unlike sense 3, which only marks time.
Common Mistakes
23. used after a person or organization to mark who pays the bill or cost.
used after a person or organization to mark who pays the bill or cost.
Don't reach for your wallet; lunch is on me today.
be on + person paying
The repairs were on the landlord after the pipe burst.
Our hotel stay was on the company during the training week.
be on + company or employer
Grandpa got the hearing aid on public insurance last year.
on + service or insurance paying the cost
Coffee and cake were on the house after the long delay.
- on me
- on the company
- on public insurance
- on the house
- paid by
a more explicit passive phrase for the same payer idea
- at [someone's] expense
more formal and often used in writing rather than casual offers
Grammar Patterns
be on me
be on [person/company]
on public insurance
Usage Note
Most common after 'be', especially in short offers such as 'It's on me.' The noun after 'on' names the person or group paying, not the thing being bought.
Common Mistakes
24. used after the affected person to show who is left in trouble when something sud
used after the affected person to show who is left in trouble when something suddenly stops working properly.
My old laptop froze on me during the class talk.
verb of failure + on + affected person
The rental car broke down on us outside Hsinchu.
break down on + person
Halfway home, the kitchen timer died on Nana again.
The lift stalled on three shoppers between the fifth and sixth floors.
Right before checkout, the card reader quit on the cashier.
- freeze on me
- break down on us
- die on him
- quit on the cashier
- let [person] down
broader and often figurative; it can describe people as well as machines
Grammar Patterns
freeze on [person]
break down on [person]
quit on [person]
Usage Note
Common with verbs for breakdown or sudden failure, such as 'freeze', 'die', 'quit', and 'break down'. The noun or pronoun after 'on' names the unlucky person affected by the problem.
Common Mistakes
25. showing how many points a player or team has at that stage of a competition.
showing how many points a player or team has at that stage of a competition.
After three rounds, Taiwan Blue are on 18 points.
be on + number + points
Marcus moved into first place when he went on 27 points.
go on + number + points
With one game left, the Eagles stayed on 42 points.
Japan's skater finished on 9.8 points in the short program.
finish on + final points total
The school quiz team ended the day on 11 points.
- on 18 points
- on 42 points
- go on 27 points
- finish on 9.8 points
- end the day on 11 points
Grammar Patterns
be + on + number + points
go/stay/finish/end + on + number + points
Usage Note
Usually follows verbs like 'be', 'go', 'stay', 'finish', or 'end' in sports and competition reports. The phrase after 'on' is normally a number plus 'points'.
Common Mistakes
on — adverb
1. used after a verb to show that clothes, shoes, or similar things are being worn
used after a verb to show that clothes, shoes, or similar things are being worn on the body.
Maya put her red coat on before stepping into the snow.
put + clothing item + on
Dad kept his work gloves on while carrying the rough boards.
keep + clothing item + on
The baby still had one sock on after the bath.
have + clothing item + on
Ben came downstairs with his school tie on already.
During practice, Ella left her helmet on the whole time.
leave + clothing item + on
- put a coat on
- have shoes on
- keep gloves on
- leave a helmet on
- off
shows the clothing item is removed or not being worn
Grammar Patterns
put + clothing item + on
have + clothing item + on
keep + clothing item + on
leave + clothing item + on
Usage Note
Object is usually an item worn on the body, such as a coat, hat, shoe, glove, or helmet. Distinguish from sense 2, where the thing is attached to a surface or object rather than worn.
Common Mistakes
2. used after a verb to show that something is fixed, covering, or placed against a
used after a verb to show that something is fixed, covering, or placed against a surface or another object.
Please stick the name label on before handing in the bag.
stick + object + on
Omar screwed the bottle cap on tightly after filling the jar.
screw + object + on
Grace painted the school badge on before the poster dried.
paint + object + on
The nurse pressed the bandage on gently over the cut.
We snapped the plastic lid on and shook the paint can.
snap + object + on
- stick a label on
- screw the cap on
- paint a badge on
- snap the lid on
- off
shows the thing is removed from the surface or object
Grammar Patterns
stick + object + on
screw + object + on
paint + object + on
snap + object + on
Usage Note
Common with objects such as labels, lids, caps, badges, and bandages. Distinguish from sense 1, where the item is on a person, and from preposition sense 2, where 'on' is followed by a noun phrase such as 'on the wall'.
Common Mistakes
3. used after a verb to show that a light, machine, screen, or system has started w
used after a verb to show that a light, machine, screen, or system has started working or is still working.
Please leave the porch light on until Grandpa gets home.
leave + device + on
Ken switched the fan on when the kitchen grew hot.
switch + device + on
The radio was still on when Mira opened the shop.
We turned the oven on half an hour before dinner.
turn + device + on
The screen came on as soon as Noah touched the key.
come on
- turn the light on
- switch the fan on
- leave the radio on
- come on
- off
shows the machine or light is not operating
Grammar Patterns
turn + device + on
switch + device + on
leave + device + on
come on
Usage Note
Usually used with things that use power or operate as systems, such as lights, radios, ovens, fans, or screens. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, where 'on' describes the operating state directly before a noun: 'the on switch'.
Common Mistakes
4. used after a verb to show that an action or activity keeps happening without sto
used after a verb to show that an action or activity keeps happening without stopping.
The children sang on after the music teacher left the room.
verb + on for continuation
Even in heavy rain, the match went on until dark.
go on
Priya worked on while the builders fixed the next office.
work on
The old clock ticked on through the quiet night.
After the lights failed, the meeting carried on by candlelight.
carry on
- go on
- carry on
- work on
- sing on
- tick on
- continue
single verb alternative with a more neutral, formal feel
- carry on
very common fixed combination for keeping an activity going
- keep going
more informal and often used for effort or movement
Grammar Patterns
verb + on
go on
carry on
work on
Usage Note
Most common after verbs such as 'go', 'carry', 'work', 'talk', 'sing', and 'live'. Distinguish from sense 7 in the other adverb chunk, where 'on' means movement forward in time or space rather than simple continuation of an activity.
Common Mistakes
5. used after verbs like get, climb, or jump to show that someone gets onto a vehic
used after verbs like get, climb, or jump to show that someone gets onto a vehicle or into riding position for travel.
We got on just before the train doors closed.
get on for boarding
Dad helped Grandma on before the boat moved away.
help + person + on
The last passengers ran on as the airport bus pulled out.
At the farm gate, Leo reached the tractor, climbed on, and waited quietly.
climb on before riding
Nina jumped on and pedaled toward the beach road.
- get on
- help someone on
- run on
- climb on
- jump on
- board
more formal and especially common with planes, ships, and trains
- climb aboard
more vivid and often used for boats or informal travel scenes
- mount
formal or literary, especially for horses or bikes
- off
shows leaving the vehicle or riding position
Grammar Patterns
get on
help + person + on
run on
climb on
Usage Note
Common with buses, trains, boats, and planes, and also with bikes, horses, or other things you ride by getting into the right position. Distinguish from preposition sense 5, where 'on' is followed by the transport noun: 'on the bus'.
Common Mistakes
6. used to say that entertainers are appearing before an audience at a particular t
used to say that entertainers are appearing before an audience at a particular time.
The jazz trio comes on at nine in the hotel bar.
come on + performance time
Is that comedian on after the interval tonight?
be on for performers
The dancers were already on when we found our seats.
A local singer is on first at the school concert.
be on first
The magician went on late because the sound check failed.
go on + stage time
- come on at nine
- be on tonight
- be on first
- go on late
- performing
general meaning word, but less idiomatic for schedules
- appearing
common for named guests, actors, or comedians
- playing
works well for bands and musicians, but not every performer
- off
shows a performer is no longer appearing
Grammar Patterns
be on
come on + time
go on + time
be on first
Usage Note
Subject is usually a performer, band, comedian, or other act, not the event itself. Distinguish from sense 8 in the other adverb chunk, where a show or meeting is happening or scheduled.
Common Mistakes
7. farther ahead in the same direction, or later as events keep developing.
farther ahead in the same direction, or later as events keep developing.
After lunch, the hikers walked on toward the lake.
walk/go on + direction
As the meeting went on, fewer parents asked questions.
as time/event went on
The road was blocked, but the bus drove on slowly.
Years went on, and the empty shop became a cafe.
Please read on for the doctor's final advice.
read on = continue reading
- walk on
- drive on
- read on
- as time went on
- years went on
- back
shows movement or attention returning in the opposite direction
Grammar Patterns
walk/go/drive on
as time goes/went on
read on
Usage Note
Often follows verbs of movement or development, especially in patterns like 'walk on' and 'as time went on'. Distinguish from sense 9, which describes a fixed place farther ahead rather than ongoing movement or progress.
Common Mistakes
8. taking place, scheduled to happen, or being shown for people to watch.
taking place, scheduled to happen, or being shown for people to watch.
The school play is still on despite the heavy rain.
be on = still happening
What's on at the cinema after eight tonight?
what's on? for listings
The town festival is on again by the river this year.
The sale is on all weekend at the shoe store.
The manager said the interview was on for Monday morning.
be on for + time
- be on tonight
- still on
- what's on
- sale is on
- festival is on
Grammar Patterns
be on tonight/this weekend
be on at + place
what's on?
Usage Note
Usually follows 'be', with a subject such as a game, show, meeting, or sale. Distinguish from adverb sense 3, where 'on' describes a machine, light, or device as operating.
Common Mistakes
9. farther ahead from a place or point that has already been mentioned.
farther ahead from a place or point that has already been mentioned.
Two miles on, the road reaches a small fishing village.
distance expression + on
Further on, we saw smoke rising above the pine trees.
fixed phrase: further on
Three doors on, there was a bakery beside the bank.
The next gas station is a little way on from here.
The hotel stands farther on, beyond the last bus stop.
- further on
- farther on
- two miles on
- three doors on
- a little way on
Grammar Patterns
two miles on
further/farther on
a little way on
Usage Note
Often comes after a distance or place expression, as in 'two miles on' or 'further on'. Distinguish from sense 7, which focuses on continuing movement or passing time rather than a later point on a route.
Common Mistakes
on — adjective
1. working and ready to use because power, gas, or another system is active.
working and ready to use because power, gas, or another system is active.
The kitchen light is still on, so Dad must be awake.
be on = receiving power
Please keep your phone on during the storm in case I call.
keep + device + on
By midnight, the old printer was on but would not print.
The air conditioner stayed on all night in Mia's room.
stay on for continued operation
Check whether the gas is on before you strike a match.
- the light is on
- keep your phone on
- leave the engine on
- the gas is on
- working
general everyday word; it does not always imply power specifically
- running
common for engines, computers, and machines with moving parts
- switched on
close in meaning, with extra focus on the power switch
- off
the usual opposite when power or supply is not active
Grammar Patterns
be on
keep [device] on
leave [light/machine] on
Usage Note
Usually follows a linking verb such as 'be' or 'stay', or appears after 'keep' and 'leave'. Subject is normally a light, machine, phone, heating system, or gas supply. Distinguish from sense 2 by checking whether the subject is equipment rather than an event or programme.
Common Mistakes
2. scheduled to take place, or being shown to people at a cinema, theatre, or on te
scheduled to take place, or being shown to people at a cinema, theatre, or on television.
The school play is on Friday night in the main hall.
be on + day/time for a planned event
A baseball game is on TV after the evening news.
be on TV = being broadcast
The meeting is still on, even though two managers are sick.
still on = not cancelled
What films are on at the cinema near Taipei Main Station?
be on at + place
The festival was on all weekend despite the strong wind.
- the show is on
- the meeting is still on
- on TV tonight
- what's on at the cinema
Grammar Patterns
be on + time/day
be on TV
be on at [place]
Usage Note
Subject is usually an event, programme, film, match, meeting, or festival. Often followed by a time phrase ('on Friday', 'on tonight') or a place phrase ('on at the cinema'). Distinguish from sense 1: here 'on' describes something arranged for an audience or participants, not a device receiving power.
Common Mistakes
on — noun
1. in cricket, the part of the field beside the batter's legs; with a right-hander,
in cricket, the part of the field beside the batter's legs; with a right-hander, it is the left-hand side.
Rafi hit through the on, and the pair ran four before tea.
cricket phrase: through the on
When Sara came in, three fielders were waiting on the on.
used with the in field descriptions
The captain moved Mei to the on after Arjun kept scoring there.
move a fielder to the on
After lunch, most of Arjun's pull shots went straight to the on.
A high catch dropped safely in the on near the boundary rope.
- the on side
- to the on
- through the on
- fielders on the on
- deep on
Grammar Patterns
to the on
through the on
fielders on the on
Usage Note
Usually preceded by 'the' and often expanded to 'the on side'. Modern cricket writing more often says 'leg side', but this shorter noun still appears in commentary and field-setting descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: preposition/1
For preposition sense 1, on is the normal everyday choice when something touches a surface: 'The keys are on the table.' Upon can replace it in many cases, but it sounds more formal or literary and is much less common in speech. Onto is different because it highlights movement to a surface: 'The cat jumped onto the wall' focuses on the change of position. Over can mean higher than something without contact, so a lamp may hang over a desk but not be on it. Against is used when something touches the side of another thing, especially a wall, window, or fence. Say The cup is on the shelf, but The bike is against the fence.
Etymology
'On' goes back to Old English on, a very old form that already covered ideas such as position, contact, movement, and time. That word came from Proto-Germanic *ana and is related to words such as German an and Dutch aan. Because English has used it since its earliest stages, on gradually spread into many grammar patterns, which is why modern English uses it for place, time, state, support, and progress.