on/in the mountains

[sitifan]

What's the difference in meaning between on the mountains and in the mountains?

[MashUK]

What's the difference in meaning between on the mountains and in the mountains?

I would say in the usage. You can say: "I had a nice walk up in the mountains" (you've been to the mountains in general). But as soon as you say "There was loads of snow on the mountain tops", you use the prepostion "on" because it normally goes with the noun "top".
This is my way of looking at it.

[sitifan]

http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=%22on+the+mountains%22&searchtype=all&vers ion1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73

http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=%22in+the+mountains%22&searchtype=all&vers ion1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73

[jlinger]

You would have to be very large to be "on the mountains" - with one foot on one mountain top and another on another.

To be "on a mountain" you are generally near the top of it. You would see a cell phone tower "on a mountain" or an observatory. But when we visit the mountains or drive through them, we are "in" the mountains. Not necessarily in a cave, either, although that would be the same preposition, so you would have to be very clear that she lives "in a cave in the mountains." If she just lives "in the mountains" she probably has a cabin somewhere.

[2006]

You can just say 'There is snow on the mountains.' You don't have to say "mountain tops".

[jlinger]

Exactly. When you say anything is "on" the mountain, you don't need to say "top" - that's what "on the mountain" generally means. That snow would be "on" the mountain means that it also extends somewhere down the mountainside as well, but it will very likely be on the top.

[MashUK]

Exactly. When you say anything is "on" the mountain, you don't need to say "top" - that's what "on the mountain" generally means. That snow would be "on" the mountain means that it also extends somewhere down the mountainside as well, but it will very likely be on the top.

Thanks A good explanation. I will keep that in mind.
Cheers,
Mariya