It depends on HOW it is used.
What is the context?
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- 05-Mar-2011, 13:25 #1
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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!
- 05-Mar-2011, 13:43 #2
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Re: the difference between on the air and in the air
- 05-Mar-2011, 17:38 #3
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Re: the difference between on the air and in the air ♥♦♣♠ 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.
- 05-Mar-2011, 23:37 #4
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Re: the difference between on the air and in the air Is it possible to say
I can smell fear in the air.
Thanks
- 05-Mar-2011, 23:46 #5
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Re: the difference between on the air and in the air Yes, and you can sense the excitement in the air as well.
Originally Posted by e2e4 
I would limit "on the air" to references to broadcasting.I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
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