What is the difference between be good at and on?
I assume you are asking the difference between “be good at” and “be good on”.
“(to) be good at (something)” is a set pattern of words meaning to be adept or skillful at doing some activity. For example, “He’s good at languages” or “She’s good at photography”.
“(to) be good on (something)” is not so common and is not such an obvious set pattern of words. Its use depends on the preposition “on” fitting what follows, as in “He’s good on TV” or “I’m not good on my own”.
Hi Dozy,
Can I say this:
I’m good on water (I have plenty of water).
Thanks!
That isn’t an expression I’m familiar with (the nearest similar thing that I would say would be “I’m OK/fine for water”). However, it seems from Google results that the expression does exist. It could be that it’s AmE.
If the salesman from Coca-cola were taking an order from Sam Grocer, he might ask how many cases of Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta Orande, Fanta Grape he needs in the next shipment, then ask how many cases of Dasani bottled water he needs.
Having overbought on Dasani the previous week, he could say, “I don’t think I need any more Dasani this week; I’m good on water.”
But it’s not a sentence that makes much sense out of context. It’s not the boast of a champion surfer, for instance.
I see,
Thank you, Dozy!