Prepositions: In v On (The food is on/in the plate. The boat is on/in the river.)

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi Alan,

Which is the correct usage for the following prepositions:-

a.The food is (on , in) the plate.

b.The boat is (on, in ) the river.

c.The little boy is sleeping (on , in) the bed.

Please give an explanation for each answer.

Thanks.

Regards,

Lee

2

HI,
(ON) for a & b:used to show that smth is in a position above smth else and touching it, or that smth is moving into such a position.
(IN) for c:inside or towards the inside of a container or an area
Wishes,
Morteza

3

Hi,
english-the-easy-way.com/Pre … itions.htm

4

a.The food is on/in the plate.
b.The boat is on/in the river.
c.The little boy is sleeping on/in the bed.

A context is needed to determine which is better, respectively.

5

The food is on the plate - A plate is usually something flat and not deep. If it were a bowl, which is deeper, then the food might be described as being in the bowl.

The boat is on the river - assuming that it hasn’t sunk!

The little boy is sleeping in the bed - if he is covered by blankets, a quilt, a duvet etc.
The little boy is sleeping on the bed - if he is uncovered by bedding.