Thursday, November 7, 2019

word choice - She has been oversleeping on or in the train and missing her stops - which is the correct preposition?



She has been oversleeping on the train and missing her stops.


She has been oversleeping in the train and missing her stops.



Which is the correct preposition in the sentences above?



Answer



It's a tricky question.



Generally, we travel by vehicles. Thus, "I came by car", even though you are in the car. For most public transport such as trains and buses, we do things on them. That is - 'We read books on trains/planes'


In your question, the medium of transportation is a train and thus, it'd take on as a preposition.



She has been oversleeping on the train and missing her stops.



However, in is possible if you further describe the location in the train.



She has been oversleeping in the train compartment and missing her stops.



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