Read, Write, English!

If you’ve ever wondered why we say “in the car” but “on the bus”, you’re not alone. Prepositions in transportation can be confusing, even for advanced English learners. Why do we use “on” for some vehicles and “in” for others? And why does it feel so unintuitive at times? Let’s break it down and make sense of these tricky little words.

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The General Rule: “In” vs. “On”

The choice between “in” and “on” often depends on the size and type of vehicle, as well as how we interact with it. Here’s a simple guideline:

• Use “in” for smaller, personal vehicles where you have limited space to move around.
  • Examples: in the car, in the taxi, in the truck, in the helicopter.
  • Think of it as being inside a confined space.
• Use “on” for larger, public vehicles where you can walk around or stand.
  • Examples: on the bus, on the train, on the plane, on the ship, on the subway.
  • Think of it as being on top of or on board a larger space.

But, as with most grammar rules, there are exceptions and nuances. Let’s dive deeper!

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Common Examples and Exceptions

1. Cars, Taxis, and Small Vehicles 🚗🚕🚚

We use “in” because these vehicles are small and enclosed. You’re literally inside them.

• ✅ She’s in the car.
• ✅ He’s in the taxi.
• ❌ She’s on the car. (Unless she’s literally sitting on the roof!)

2. Buses, Trains, and Large Vehicles🚌🚇🚅

We use “on” because these vehicles are larger, and you can move around inside them.

• ✅ They’re on the bus.
• ✅ We’re on the train.
• ✅ She’s on the subway.
• ❌ They’re in the bus. (Unless you’re emphasizing being inside the bus for a specific reason.)

3. Planes and Ships✈️🛳️

Planes and ships are interesting because they’re large, but we still use “on”.

• ✅ We’re on the plane.
• ✅ They’re on the ship.
• Exception: You might hear “in the plane” if someone is emphasizing being inside the aircraft, but “on” is more common.

4. Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Open Vehicles🚴🏻‍♂️🏍️

For vehicles where you’re not enclosed, we use “on”.

• ✅ He’s on the bicycle.
• ✅ She’s on the motorcycle.
• ❌ He’s in the bicycle. (Unless it’s a very strange bicycle!)

5. On Foot 🚶🏼‍♀️

This one is a bit quirky! When you’re walking, we say “on foot”, even though there’s no vehicle involved.

• ✅ They’re traveling on foot.
• ❌ They’re traveling in foot.

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Why Does It Feel Unintuitive?

The confusion often comes from trying to apply logic where there isn’t any. For example:

• Why is it “on the bus” but “in the car”? Both are vehicles, right?
• Why is it “on the plane” but “in the helicopter”? Aren’t they both aircraft?
• And why do we say “on foot” when there’s no vehicle at all?

The truth is, prepositions in English often don’t follow strict logic. They’re based on usage and convention rather than rules. Over time, native speakers have settled on certain prepositions for certain contexts, and learners just have to memorize them.

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Tips to Remember

Here are some tips to help you get it right:

1. Think about size and space: Smaller vehicles like cars and taxis are enclosed spaces, so you’re inside them. Larger vehicles like buses, trains, and planes are like covered surfaces you can walk on, so you’re on them.
2. Think about movement: Can you walk around? If yes, use on. If you’re sitting in a confined space, use in.
3. Practice with examples: Write sentences using different vehicles and check if you’re using the correct preposition.
4. Listen and imitate: Pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions in transportation contexts.

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Fun Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

Let’s see if you’ve got it! Fill in the blanks with “in” or “on”:

1. She’s __________ the car.
2. They’re __________ the train.
3. He’s __________ the bicycle.
4. We’re __________ the plane.
5. The dog is __________ the truck.
6. They’re traveling __________ foot.

(Answers: 1. in, 2. on, 3. on, 4. on, 5. in, 6. on)

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Final Thoughts

Prepositions in transportation might seem tricky at first, but with a little practice, they’ll become second nature. Remember, it’s all about size, movement, and convention. And don’t worry if you make mistakes—even native speakers sometimes debate which preposition to use!

What other prepositions confuse you? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll help clear things up!

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What’s Next?

For a comprehensive guide to prepositions, visit our Prepositions Page and unlock the secrets to using them like a pro!
And if you found this post helpful, check out our blog on Common English Idioms to spice up your language skills even further!