Stayed Up The Tree

English usage - which sentence is correct?

1) John stayed up the tree until Mr Yellow had to bring him down.


OR


2) John stayed on the tree until Mr Yellow had to bring him down.

[ana2005]

I would say "stay up the tree" is correct. I think it is actually quite difficult to stay ON a tree. I understand ON is similar to "on top of", so you can stand on a table or on a chair, but not on a tree. But, could you stay IN a tree once you have climbed up the tree? Usage of prepositions is so very complicated!!

[BobK]

Originally Posted by ana2005

I would say "stay up the tree" is correct. I think it is actually quite difficult to stay ON a tree. I understand ON is similar to "on top of", so you can stand on a table or on a chair, but not on a tree. But, could you stay IN a tree once you have climbed up the tree? Usage of prepositions is so very complicated!!

Yes. You stay either in or up a tree. I'm a bit worried about Mr Yellow though.

John stayed up the tree for hours and hours, until in the end Mr Yellow had to bring him down.

But

John stayed up the tree until Mr Yellow brought him down.

or

John stayed up the tree, and in the end Mr Yellow had to bring him down.


Had to in this context expresses a last resort.

(I know you weren't asking about this, but I think it's worth saying.)

b