in versus on, again

Status
Not open for further replies.

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
Dear teachers...

Could you shed some light on this?

Murder in the White House
Murder on the White House.


What's the difference?

Many thanks
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
Dear teachers...

Could you shed some light on this?

Murder in the White House
Murder on the White House.


What's the difference?

Many thanks
If someone committed murder in the White House, they did it inside the building. If it was on the White House it was presumably outside, on the roof.
 

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
Thanks

One more question:

if we say 'on' the White House based on the fact that we don't know precisely where the incident happened...would it be wrong if it (had) happened inside the building?

Many thanks
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
Thanks

One more question:

if we say 'on' the White House based on the fact that we don't know precisely where the incident happened...would it be wrong if it (had) happened inside the building?

Many thanks
Yes, it would be wrong. Use "at" for that situation.
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
No, you would say "on the White House" if it happened on the roof!

You'd say "at the White House" if it happened in or near the White House, somewhere on the White House grounds. It doesn't have to be inside, but it could have been.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top