Preposition ‘On’: Usage, Rules, and Examples

‘On’ Meaning

A preposition is a word which describes the relationship between an object and another word, object, or element in the sentence. The word ‘on’ as a preposition means many different things. For example:

Days, dates, and specific parts of the day.

  • I perform on Friday nights.
  • She was born on the 21st .
  • I clean my windows on Wednesday.
  • We were attacked on New Year’s Day.
A graphic explaining the use of the preposition "on" for time. Examples include "I perform on Friday nights," "She was born on the 21st," "We were attacked on New Year's Day," and "I clean my windows on Wednesday." A highlighted note in the centre states that "on" is used for days, dates, and specific parts of the day, with a hot tip at the bottom mentioning that "in," "on," and "at" are commonly confused prepositions.

How certain things happen or are done.

  • Methods of travelling.
  • Methods of producing.
on preposition of manner

Touching and/or being supported by a surface.

  • On a table.
  • On a window.
  • On the toilet.
  • On my head.
on preposition of place

on preposition of time

The preposition ‘on’ is used for days, dates, and specific parts of the day and is used for smaller, more specific dates and times. For example:

  • She was born on the 12.02.2022.
  • I gig on Friday nights.
  • We play tennis on Sundays.
  • On April the 1st, I was crowned champion.
  • On Thursday night, I perform magic.
  • I graduated on Tuesday.
preposition of time on

Let’s take a look at some more examples of how ‘on’ can be used as a preposition of time.

To be on time (not late).

  • I hope the baby will be born on time.
  • Dinner won’t be on time, I got home from work late.
  • Make sure you arrive on time, I want you to make a good first impression.
on preposition of time example

Days of the week, specific days, or dates.

  • I pick my daughter up from school on Monday and Thursday.
  • I’m going out for dinner on my birthday.
  • We are playing in the final on the 6th of May.
on preposition of time example

On + day + part of the day.

  • I have a funeral on Friday afternoon.
  • I can’t go, I’m busy on Saturday night.
  • My exams start at 9 am on Monday morning.
on preposition of time example

Specific holidays e.g. Christmas day, Easter Sunday, and bank holidays.

  • I love watching the kids open their presents on Christmas day.
  • My parents are coming over for dinner on Easter Sunday.
  • I have to work on bank holiday Monday.
on preposition of time example

on preposition of manner

The word ‘on’ as a preposition is used to show the way which something was done. For example:

  • Methods of travelling.
  • Methods of producing.
preposition of manner on

Let’s see some examples.

Methods of travelling e.g. On foot, train, horseback, ferry, or hovercraft.

  • My car is in the garage so I’m going to work on foot.
  • I went to the zoo on the train.
  • We travelled as a group on horseback.
  • I got to the island on the ferry.
  • The kids got a ride on a hovercraft.
on preposition of manner example

Methods of producing e.g. Computer, hob, phone, or BBQ.

  • I made the designs on the computer and printed them off on the printer.
  • I used the hob so seal the meat then finished it off in the air fryer.
  • I can edit the photos on my phone for you.
  • Cook the sausages on the BBQ and I’ll do the chicken in the oven.
on preposition of manner example

on preposition of place

The word ‘on’ as a preposition is used for smaller, more specific places and locations. For example:

  • You shouldn’t be on the road you maniac.
  • I live on the streets.
  • James lives on Autumn Avenue.
  • I live on Sunny Lane.
preposition of place on

Let’s see some examples.

Away from home e.g. Holiday, business, a trip, the run.

  • We are going on holiday to Cuba for three weeks.
  • My boss is away on business this week.
  • The kids are off on a school trip all day so I’ll catch up on the ironing.
  • A guy from my street robbed a bank and is now on the run.
on preposition of place example

Media – e.g. Phone, TV, computer, games console, internet, or radio.

  • The voucher code is on my phone.
  • My son and his team are going to be on TV tonight.
  • You can play on the computer after you finish your homework.
  • Jay is in his room playing on his games console.
  • You can find the information on the internet.
  • That song is always on the radio.
on preposition of place example

Page, chapter, section, map, list, or menu.

  • I’m only on page two of my new book and I’m already hooked.
  • I’m writing a novel, I’m on chapter five at the moment.
  • I’ve nearly finished the newspaper, I’m on the business section.
  • Look on the map, apparently there is a secret cave around here somewhere.
  • Don’t forget to put milk on the shopping list.
  • There is no chicken on the menu, we are having supply issues.
on preposition of place example

An episode, or series.

  • I’m on episode three but I’m not really getting into the programme.
  • We’re on the last series, I won’t give you any spoilers.
on preposition of place example

An island.

  • My uncle has bought a villa on an island.
  • We are going on a tour today, we’ll take a speed boat and stay on an island all day.
  • I can’t wait for that festival on an island.
on preposition of place example

On a surface e.g. Wall, door, table, floor, ceiling, or roof.

  • Can you put the picture up on the blue wall.
  • I’ll put a note on the door for the delivery man.
  • Don’t put new shoes on the table.
  • Why are your dirty clothes on the floor and not in the wash basket?
  • The builder is putting 6 new sky lights on the ceiling.
  • Tell the kids not to climb on the roof, I don’t want a trip to A&E today.
on preposition of place example

On a on a body part e.g. Arm, head, hands, face, or feet.

  • I’ve got a huge cut on my arm.
  • Why is my child walking around with a bucket on his head?
  • Don’t put your hands on the kettle, it’s boiling hot.
  • Can you put some glitter on my face for the party?
  • What has she got on her feet? did she look in the mirror this morning!
on preposition of place example

On a vehicle e.g. Bike, bus, plane, train, boat, or ship.

  • The kids are going on a bike ride.
  • We must get on the bus at the North Street stop, and get off on Tower Lane.
  • Next week will be the first time I’ve ever been on a plane.
  • I think I’ve left my suitcase on the train.
  • We’re going fishing on a boat later.
  • I work as a singer on a cruise ship.
on preposition of place example

On a floor e.g. The ground floor, second floor, or terrace.

  • I live on the ground floor, flat G.
  • The lingerie department is on the second floor.
  • Let’s go on the terrace, there’s a cocktail bar up there.
on preposition of place example

Directions e.g. Left, right, top, or bottom.

  • The supermarket is up the street on the left.
  • Please take a seat in the waiting room on the right.
  • The best essays are on the top of the pile.
  • My fish is laying on the bottom of the tank, I think it’s dead.
on preposition of place example

On + street name.

  • I live on Shortland Street.
  • The garage is on the next street on the left.
  • We are going to check out a new nursery, it’s by the river on Trent Avenue.
on preposition of place example

On a corner (when outside).

  • Meet me on the corner of my road and we can walk to town together.
  • All the kids from that school hang around on street corners and smoke.
  • I’ve bought the house on the corner of Southwark Road and Newton Avenue.
on preposition of place example

On the planet.

  • One day, I want to be the best racing car driver on the planet.
  • Lionel Messi is the best footballer on the planet.
  • Stubbing your toe is the worst feeling on the planet.
on preposition of place example

Near water e.g. The coast, the lake, the river, the water’s edge.

  • We are going to spend a few days on the coast.
  • I have bought a nice little house on the lakes.
  • We’ve booked an excursion on the river.
  • Let’s eat our picnic on the water’s edge.
on preposition of place example

Did you enjoy learning about the preposition ‘on’? Your next task, if you choose to accept it, is to learn about the other prepositions ‘on’ is commonly confused with… in and at.

in
at