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On top/on the top/at the top

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Latest post Sun, Oct 19 2008 5:42 AM by Anonymous. 8 replies.
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New2grammar  +  504063 Wed, 23 Apr 08 02:36 AM

Two lost mountain hikers were rescued when a private plane saw flashing lights [on top/on the top/at the top] of the mountain.

Which choices are correct?

Thanks!
New2grammar
Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006
Veteran Member 7,676
Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?
Yoong Liat, 1 yr 199 days ago

The best choice,, to me, is 'on top'.

Related discussions
New2grammar, 1 yr 199 days ago

Hi YL, do you mind explaining what you think of each of the choices?

Thanks!

Yoong Liat  +  504450 Wed, 23 Apr 08 07:09 PM

New2grammar
“

Hi YL, do you mind explaining what you think of each of the choices?

Thanks!

”

Two lost mountain hikers were rescued when a private plane saw flashing lights [on top/on the top/at the top] of the mountain,

on the top of 'the mountain -- There are two the's and so on top  is more appropriate.

at the top of 'the mountain --  Something is not at the top of another thing. The clock is at the top of the cupboard. (not correct)

The clock is on top of the cupboard. (correct)

 
Yoong Liat
Feebs11  +  504464 Wed, 23 Apr 08 07:55 PM
 My preference in this context is "at the top of the mountain". 

It is usable -

You can see the lights at the top of the mountain.

The police noted that flashing lights were observed at the top of the mountain.

When you arrive at the top of the mountain, you have achieved a personal goal. 

 
Feebs11
Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006
UK
Veteran Member 5,015
New2grammar  +  504468 Wed, 23 Apr 08 08:12 PM

My understanding is the top of the mountain means the mountain's top/peak and at is a preposition of location. So I have no problem with this phrase. Please correct me if my interpretation is flawed.

On top of something sounds like it's on top and not on the bottom. So top here is used to indicate position. I guess I would use it in contexts where arrangement of things are concerned - the blue book is on top of the yellow pages.

Regarding on the top of something, I'm stuck. Please explain what you think of them and correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks a bunch!
New2grammar
New2grammar, 1 yr 197 days ago

Any thoughts?

 

Anonymous, 1 yr 43 days ago
I am currently teaching my first grader from China and this is what we have in our workbook: A mouse is sitting on top( of something). Who is on the bottom( of that something)? At is used only if a narrator wants to point a specific point that an object is at.
Anonymous, 1 yr 20 days ago
"on top" simply indicates where something is located which means attached to the highest point or plane of an object. Example top of the table.
"at the top" points to that same highest point of of an object, but in contrast to being enywhere else on the object in question, as far as height is concerned. It's like saying "at the very top" and not just close to it. It could also be figurative, but with the same picure: "I shouted at the top of my lungs." This means as loud as I possibly could, and not just loud.

Carlo Salcedo
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