Doubt regarding the use of "on" and "in".

[arunkn09]

Hi! all,

I have a doubt. Why do we use "get in" the car? why not "get on" the car?
As we use "on" with other means of transportation.
Eg:- Get on the bus. Get on the train. Get on the plain. Get on the ship.
But why "Get in the car"? I hope to hear from you soon Thank you so much.

[SoothingDave]

The better question is why we say get "on" any of those others. We move from the outside of a car, plane, train, bus to the inside. We get in the bus, we get in the car.

If we got a ladder and climbed up and got on the roof of the train, then we would (logically) say we got "on" the train.

Now, trains and buses are bigger than cars and it is understood that "on the train" does not mean you climb on top.

But if you said you got "on the car" we would think you climbed on top of the car. Or sat on the hood.

That's the way the language is used.

[arunkn09]

Thank you so much for your reply. It's so helpful to the English lovers like me. Thank you so much!

[buggles]

Peversely enough, we also travel in a helicopter and in a speedboat. Again, it must be to do with the size.

[arunkn09]

Thank you so much for your reply. :)