'on' or 'in'

[Olympian]

Hello,

While reading about news related to "Occupy Wall Street",
I came across a photo of "Occupy Boston" movement showing a group of people marching through Boston Common. According to Wikipedia,

"Boston Common (also known as "the Common") is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons"." Later in that same entry in Wikipedia, there is a section called "Notable recurring events on the Common".

Since it is a park, why does it not say 'in the Common'? Does 'in' sound strange?

Interestingly I also read that there is a 'Boston Public Garden' adjacent to the Boston Common, but it is called simply 'Public Garden' or 'Boston Public Garden', and not 'Boston Public'.

Thank you

[5jj]

It is not uncommon () to use 'on' for flat areas - on the common, on the pitch, on court (tennis)

[Olympian]

It is not uncommon () to use 'on' for flat areas - on the common, on the pitch, on court (tennis)

@fivejedjon, thank you. I take it that it is OK to use either 'on' or 'in' in this case.

[5jj]

Unfortunately no.' In the park' and 'field/meadow' are fine, but , for me, 'in the pitch/court' are not; I don't think 'in the common' is. If you are surprised that a native speaker should be unsure, it's because the more one thinks about it, the more natural some unnatural things sound - and vice versa.

Sorry I am not being very helpful.

[Olympian]

Unfortunately no.' In the park' and 'field/meadow' are fine, but , for me, 'in the pitch/court' are not; I don't think 'in the common' is. If you are surprised that a native speaker should be unsure, it's because the more one thinks about it, the more natural some unnatural things sound - and vice versa.

Sorry I am not being very helpful.

@fivejedjon, no, it is ok. I understand the part about the more one thinks... I appreciate hearing what sounds natural to you. And to make it more difficult for non-English speakers there are the AmE and BrE differences.

While on the subject of 'on' or 'in', may I ask another question?

In the 3rd episode of Sherlock Holmes (BBC Series), Sherlock has John Watson examine a pair or sneakers and after hearing his observations, he says: "You're on sparkling form."

I am used to hearing a player or a cricketer is in good form.

Are 'in good form' and 'on good form' the same? Does 'you're on sparkling form' mean 'you are on a roll' (as some Americans would say)?

Thank you

[5jj]

Both are acceptable.

[ribran]

Does 'in' sound strange?

Yes, to me it does.

[SoothingDave]

Are 'in good form' and 'on good form' the same?

I would only use in.