in/on a competition

[Sephelia]

Hello there,
Can someone help me with this.

Well, you see, I'm used to hearing people say 'in a/the competition'.
My first question would be 'do we ever use 'on' au lieu 'in'? Is it acceptable?

My second question would be ' if we state the name of the competition, let's say 'X factor' or any other names, should we use 'on' like in this phrase:

"All the contestants on X-factor"

Is there a rule?
please advise.

thanks

[David L.]

My first question would be 'do we ever use 'on' au lieu 'in'? Is it acceptable?

My first question would be, do we ever use 'on' in lieu of 'in'? Is it acceptable?

Yes. "We need to have a head start on the the competition."
Just Google "on the competition" for more examples.

Should we use 'on' like in this phrase:
"All the contestants on X-factor"
Is there a rule?
It isn't so much a 'rule' as one of the meanings of the word 'on':
"as a member of, part of, and engaged in the activities of"

[RonBee]

I think it depends on whether "competition" refers to people or an event.

He's in the competition. (event)
He wants to get a head start on the competition. (people)

[David L.]

David L:It isn't so much a 'rule' as one of the meanings of the word 'on':

Damn it, Ronb - so there is a simple rule!

I blame my primary school teachers for not knowing that.

(just feeling a bit psychopathic this morning - "It's all everybody else's fault". Those three cups of tea have not helped to wake me up. Call me paranoid, but I think someone somewhere is draining the mood elevating goodness out of the tea leaves.)
Better go back to bed.)

[Searching for language]

However, to confuse the issue even more, you could also say:
"He wants to get a head start (or headstart) in the competition." If he trains more, is more prepared he is ahead in the competition, compared to the people who did not train.

[RonBee]

A zillion examples of each:

"in the competition" - Yahoo! Search Results=
"on the competition" - Yahoo! Search Results=

Clearly, you can use either. Also, as to people in a competition, in a tournament, in a game, or in a competitive event, well, people compete in a tournament or other competition.