In / On the playground

[ratóncolorao]

Hello,

Could you please tell me the difference in meaning of these two expressions?:

On the playground
In the playground

Thank you for your help

[5jj]

Context would help.

[ratóncolorao]

In fact, I was searching for some general rules in order to be able to use it properly when the occasion comes. Not just a single example where you can tell me if it is wrong or right.... I want to know if there is a rule to follow.

For instance, if I say:

The little children are playing on/in the playground
Swings are in the playground

Which preposition would you choose and why - if there is a why, of course.

Thank you all.

[bhaisahab]

In fact, I was searching for some general rules in order to be able to use it properly when the occasion comes. Not just a single example where you can tell me if it is wrong or right.... I want to know if there is a rule to follow.

For instance, if I say:

The little children are playing on/in the playground
There are swings in the playground

Which preposition would you choose and why - if there is a why, of course.

Thank you all.

In both cases I would use "in". There is no reason explainable, it's just like that.

[ratóncolorao]

When would you use "on" then?

Thanks

[Rover_KE]

'The children are playing on the football field.'

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=ratóncolorao;852584]


CAUTION: NOT A TEACHER


(1) I think (repeat: think) that most Americans nowadays prefer "on."

(a) I went to the "books" section of Google and discovered that although some

Americans (especially in the earlier part of the twentieth century) do use "in," it

appears that "on" is now the preferred form for Americans.

(2) Here are just four examples:

(a) Swings are ... one of the most used pieces of equipment on a playground.

Source: Planning and Urban Design Standards (2006) by the American Planning Association.

(b) David and his friend, Brett, noticed two empty swings on the playground.

Source: One Year Book of Family Devotions (2000).

***

(c) A group of six children is actively playing on a permanent, modular playground system.

Source: Outdoor Play (2002) by Karyn Housen.

(d) These children also played together on the playground.

Source: Critical Perspectives on Early Childhood Education (1991) by Lois Weis.

(3) Why is "on" preferred? Maybe (maybe) because a playground is a flat area.

Therefore:

On a football field (as Rover said)
On a soccer field. (To Americans, "football" = American football, not soccer.)
On the tennis court
On the golf course
On the sidewalk

In his famous (and huge) grammar, Professor Quirk gives this example:

The players were practicing on the field . ( = surface for sports)

Cows were grazing in the field. ( = enclosed area of land)