In or out

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#80212 Thu, 10 Mar 05 04:49 PM

I have a question about the use of the words "in" and "out".
Which phrase is correct? Or which is more commonly used if both are correct?

Fill out the table.
Fill in the table.

Is there a rule as to how the use of in and out varies? As in fill in a blank, and fill out a table?
I have a similar question about "in" and "on"

When is something referred to as in the picture and when as on the picture? In the instance when both things are part of the picture. (not in the sense as there is a woman depicted in the picture and there is dust on the picture.)

Any help is much appreciated

thanks

Guest

khoff

#80240 Thu, 10 Mar 05 06:27 PM

I love questions like this! I hope I can give a useful reply.

I believe "fill in the form" and "fill out the form" are interchangable. However, I think there is a very slight preference for "fill in" when it refers to specific pieces of information ("fill in the blanks") and "fill out" when it refers to the entire form or document that you are working on.

I would never say something is "on the picture" unless, as you say, there is something like dust physically present on the surface of the picture. Anything depicted or portrayed is "in the picture."

I hope this helps. I will be interested in seeing other opinions on the fill in/fill out question.

khoff

Joined on Sun, Mar 6 2005

Denver, Colorado, USA, Earth

Senior Member (2,616)

Native speaker of American English (but not a grammar expert)