on/in bed?

[hlbert03]

Hello guys,

What preposition should I use if I'm talking about a bed. Should I use 'in' or 'on'? Please correct the sentence given.

- She slept in this bed.

Should it be 'on'?

Looking forward to your reply. Thank in advance.



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[Irushka]

on the bed - it means "over the furniture(bed)
There is a pillow on my bed.

in bed - means "conditions, when somebody/something is in bed"
Do you want a coffee in a bed?
She stays in the bed 2 days.

I hope, It is clear what I want to say?

[boothling]

She slept in this bed.
She slept on this bed.

Both are correct, but native English speakers would probably say "in".

You use "in" when somebody is underneath the covers (blanket, duvet, sheet). But you would say "she sat on the bed" if she was on top of the covers.

Irushka:

You use "in bed" (no the or a) if someone is sleeping, or ill, or lying down. For instance:

- Where's Susan? - She's in bed.
- He was still in bed at one o'clock.
- I was sick, so I stayed in bed.
- Shall I bring you coffee in bed?
- She has been in bed for two days.

You could say "I stayed in my bed" or "she is in her bed" and it would be correct, but "in bed" is more usual.

[hlbert03]

Does this imply to chair as well? Like, "I sat in a chair"? Or, it should be "I sat on a chair."

Thanks.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by hlbert03

Does this imply to chair as well? Like, "I sat in a chair"? Or, it should be "I sat on a chair."

Thanks.

Both are used with chairs.

In my experience, "in a chair" can be used for all types of chairs, but "on a chair" would be more likely with chairs that are not upholstered, not deep, and do not have arms.

With benches, stools, steps, etc., it is always "on".

[trolleygirl]

What about in line/on line? In Texas, it's "in" line at the grocery store; In NYC, it's "on" line at the supermarket.

Where does "on" line come from anyway? How can anyone be "on" the line, unless you're standing on top of other people? You should be "in" the line with other people. I'm third "in" line, not third "on" line becuase I'm not standing "on" anything but the floor.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by trolleygirl

What about in line/on line? In Texas, it's "in" line at the grocery store; In NYC, it's "on" line at the supermarket.

Where does "on" line come from anyway? How can anyone be "on" the line, unless you're standing on top of other people? You should be "in" the line with other people. I'm third "in" line, not third "on" line becuase I'm not standing "on" anything but the floor.

Prepositional use is very quirky and not always based on logic. Notice that one can walk down the street and up the street in the same direction. British house are in a street and American ones are on a street, but neither of them actually sit in or on the street.

If the New York-ism has any basis in logic, I imagine that New Yorkers found themsleves standing "on" a real (line in a sidewalk) or imaginary line while they waited.

[hlbert03]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Both are used with chairs.

In my experience, "in a chair" can be used for all types of chairs, but "on a chair" would be more likely with chairs that are not upholstered, not deep, and do not have arms.

With benches, stools, steps, etc., it is always "on".

So this means that I could use "in" to whatever chair I will be referring to whereas "on" is limited only to chairs without arms. Am I correct?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by hlbert03

So this means that I could use "in" to whatever chair I will be referring to whereas "on" is limited only to chairs without arms. Am I correct?

That works for me.

[hlbert03]

Thanks.