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On for Dummies

adverb

pronunciation: ɑn

What does On really mean?

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Hey there! Today we're going to talk about the word "on." So, have you ever wondered what it means when someone says "turn the light on" or "put the book on the table"? Well, the word "on" is a teeny tiny word that actually has a few different meanings depending on the context. Let's dive in and take a closer look, shall we?

First things first, "on" is used to describe the position of something being in contact with, or supported by, something else. For example, when we say "the cup is on the table," it means that the cup is resting or sitting on top of the table. It's like when you put your toy car on the floor or when you wear a hat on your head. The hat is touching your head, and that's what "on" is all about - the idea of something being directly in touch with or supported by another thing.

(Imagine you're holding a toy car and a table in your hands)

Now let's think about it in another way. Imagine you have a toy car in one hand and a table in the other hand. We want to put the car on the table. What would you do? You would simply place the car so that it sits on top of the table, right? That's what "on" means - it's like a bridge connecting two things together. The car and the table become connected in a specific way. It's similar to how your shoes are connected to your feet when you put them on. So, when we say "the car is on the table," it's like the car and the table are buddies hanging out together, one on top of the other.

Another way to think about "on" is when it's used to talk about time or to specify a day or date. For example, when we say "on Monday" or "on May 7th," it means that the event or action is going to happen or has happened at that specific time. It's like we're putting a label or marker on the calendar to show when something is happening or happened. Just like when your birthday is on a certain date or you have a test on Monday, the word "on" is used to indicate that something is scheduled or happened at a specific time.

(Imagine a calendar with different colorful labels marking important days)

Lastly, "on" can also be used to describe a device or machine that is operating or turned on. So, when we say "turn the TV on" or "let's listen to music on the radio," it means that we want to activate or start using that device. It's like pushing a button and making it come to life. Just like when you turn on a lamp and it lights up the room or when you turn on the computer and it starts working, the word "on" is used to describe the action of making something start doing its job.

(Imagine turning on a TV and seeing your favorite show playing)

So, to sum it all up, the word "on" is used to show that something is in direct contact with, or supported by, something else. It can describe a physical position like when the car is on the table, or it can be used to talk about time and specify a day or date like on Monday or on May 7th. Additionally, it can be used to describe the action of turning on or activating a device or machine. Remember, "on" is like a bridge that connects two things together or a label that marks a specific time or day. It's a little word with big meanings!

I hope that made sense! Do you have any more questions about the word "on"? Remember, there are no silly questions, and I'm here to help you understand. Let's keep learning together!


Revised and Fact checked by James Lee on 2023-10-29 13:39:45

On In a sentece

Learn how to use On inside a sentece

  • The bird is sitting on the branch.
  • I put the book on the shelf.
  • The cat is lying on the mat.
  • We went on a picnic in the park.
  • The ball rolled on the ground.

On Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

On Antonyms

Words that have the opposite context of the original word.

On Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.