on*/*/*/

[ɒn]

grammar word summary: On can be: ■ a preposition: She was lying on the floor. ■ an adverb: When the bus stopped, he got on. ■ used after the verb ‘to be': Is the central heating on?

1) supported by a surface supported by something, or touching the top of it

Chad was asleep on the floor.[/ex]

He left a note for you on the kitchen table.[/ex]

2) sticking to sth touching, sticking to, or hanging from something

There were several posters on the wall.[/ex]

The key is hanging on a hook in the hall.[/ex]

Evelyn kissed him on the cheek.[/ex]

3) at a particular time used for stating the day or date when something happens

He's coming home on Wednesday.[/ex]

My birthday is on the 27th of November.[/ex]

4) in an area in a particular area or on a particular type of land

The house was built on a beautiful piece of land.[/ex]

Wilson grew up on a farm.[/ex]

5) in a particular place at the side of a road, river, or area of water

Gordie's grandparents live on Crescent Drive.[/ex]

a town on the Mississippi[/ex]

6) as part of a page or list included as part of a page of a book, or as part of a list

Look at the picture on page 94.[/ex]

Why isn't my name on the list?[/ex]

7) wearing or carrying sth wearing or carrying a particular thing on a part of your body

Put your shoes on.[/ex]

She wore a ring on her left hand.[/ex]

You look funny with glasses on.[/ex]

Have you got any cash on you?[/ex]

8) being broadcast being broadcast by radio or television

I usually listen to the news on the radio.[/ex]

What time is the football match on?[/ex]

9) saying who or what is affected used for saying who or what is affected by something

the effect of interest rates on the housing market[/ex]

The attacks on Walters are very unfair.[/ex]

10) about sth concerning a particular subject

a report on the Civil War[/ex]

11) continuing continuing to do something or to happen

Read on to find out the rest of the story.[/ex]

The opera seemed to go on and on for hours.[/ex]

12) in or into a vehicle in or into a bus, train, plane etc

We got on the train at Bournville.[/ex]

I'll get some work done while I'm on the plane.[/ex]

13) using particular equipment used for saying what type of machine or equipment is used for doing something

The work is done on computer.[/ex]

I recorded our conversation on my tape recorder.[/ex]

14) working if a machine or piece of electrical equipment is on, it is working

Who left the TV on?[/ex]

15) taking part in a journey used for saying that someone takes part in an activity in which they travel or see something

I'll take you on a tour of the factory.[/ex]

I met him when I was on a Mediterranean cruise.[/ex]

16) using a drug using a particular drug

She's on antibiotics for an eye infection.[/ex]

He seemed to be on drugs.[/ex]

17) being a member of sth if someone is on a team or committee, they are a member of it

There are only three directors on the board.[/ex]

18) happening happening, or planned to happen

There's a wedding on at the church.[/ex]

Have you got anything on this weekend?[/ex]

19) happening immediately formal

immediately after another event, or at the same time as another event

Report to the reception desk on arrival.[/ex]

20) giving phone numbers British

used for giving the phone number where someone can be contacted

Call us on 0800 0900017.[/ex]

21) paid for by sb spoken

used for saying who will pay for something

Drink up! The next one is on me.[/ex]

•

be/go on about sb/sth; be/go on at sb — informalto keep talking about someone or something in a way that annoys other people[/ex]

She's always on about her children.[/ex]

from now/then/that moment etc on — starting at a particular time and continuing to happen[/ex]

The new rules will apply to all members from now on.[/ex]

sth is not on — British informal used for saying that something is wrong or cannot be allowed[/ex]

on sb's face — used for saying that someone's face has a particular expression[/ex]

There was a look of horror on her face.[/ex]

on the left/right — at or to the left/right side of someone or something[/ex]

His office is the last door on the left.[/ex]

See:

full-on,

head-on,

upon