the difference between on the air and in the air

Hi,Here
I want to know the usage of the phrase "in the air " and "on the air".
THANK YOU!:roll:

It depends on HOW it is used.

What is the context?

♥♦♣♠ NOT A TEACHER ♥♦♣♠
I think it would suffice to tell you, guoqianchen, that on the air is a technical term used in radio and television. The other one (in the air), roughly speaking, means that somebody or something is not on the ground.

Is it possible to say

I can smell fear in the air.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e2e4

Is it possible to say

I can smell fear in the air.

Thanks

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Yes, and you can sense the excitement in the air as well.

I would limit "on the air" to references to broadcasting.