In/on the road

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Teo

#300723 Tue, 05 Dec 06 07:15 AM

What's the difference between in the road and on the road?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,631)

Thank you very much for your reply.

Difference Between

CalifJim

#300731 Tue, 05 Dec 06 08:36 AM

in the road generally focuses on the space between the edges of the road; on the road generally focuses on the surface of the road; on the road is also an idiom meaning traveling (by car, truck, etc.).

We couldn't get through because there was a herd of sheep in the road / on the road.
It's dangerous for children to play in the road / on the road.

A truck overturned, and gallons of toxic liquid spilled on the road.
After the rain there was a lot of water on the road.

If we got up at 5, we could be on the road by 6.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,762)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Idioms

Yoong Liat

#300749 Tue, 05 Dec 06 09:49 AM

Do we say, "The children are playing on the field" or "The children are playing in the field" ?

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (6,095)

Yoong Liat

Philip

#300874 Tue, 05 Dec 06 03:37 PM

Yoong Liat wrote:

Do we say, "The children are playing on the field" or "The children are playing in the field" ?

My immediate reaction: on the field = a specific contained playing area; in the field = outdoors, in the open, grassy area. Not sure this is a valid distinction. Others can help.

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)

Veteran Member (6,328)

At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

nona the brit

#300878 Tue, 05 Dec 06 03:43 PM

Yes I don't know why but I feel as though there is a difference depending on the type of field.

If it is a specific leisure/sports area, I'd say on the field.

If it is just a field not really intended for playing on, I'd say 'in'.

As a child I used to play in the fields behind my house. We used to play football on the playing field.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,450)

The name says it all.

Football

benita

#300884 Tue, 05 Dec 06 03:51 PM

Nona is right. There is a difference with regard to the type of field.

On the field he is a very aggresive sportsman.

There are cows grazing in the fields.

benita

Joined on Mon, Jan 31 2005

India

Contributing Member (1,667)

But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost

Regards

Yoong Liat

#300919 Tue, 05 Dec 06 05:27 PM

Nona The Brit wrote:
Yes I don't know why but I feel as though there is a difference depending on the type of field. If it is a specific leisure/sports area, I'd say on the field. If it is just a field not really intended for playing on, I'd say 'in'. As a child I used to play in the fields behind my house. We used to play football on the playing field.

Am I correct to say that it depends on the size of the field? Use 'on' when the field is small. For example, a school field is usually not too big to be considered large. As Maple said, "The cows are grazing in the field." The field in which cows graze should be much larger than a school field.

Yoong Liat

Football

nona the brit

#300931 Tue, 05 Dec 06 06:08 PM

No I think it's more to do with the purpose of the field.

An agricultural field is always 'in', even if it is tiny.

Some playing fields are quite large with several football pirches for example. They would still be 'on'.