on the market and in the market

Status
Not open for further replies.

olegv

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Ukrainian
Home Country
Ukraine
Current Location
Ukraine
What is the difference between in the market and on the market? Thanks
 

Allen165

Key Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Switzerland
NOT A TEACHER.

I don't think there's a difference in meaning. I'd say that for the most part they're interchangeable, but there may be situations where one would be preferred to the other.
 

TheParser

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
What is the difference between in the market and on the market? Thanks

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Olegv.

(1) I guess that they can mean many different things, depending on the

context.

(2) Here are at least two meanings:

(a) If you see a nice house for sale, would you please tell me? I am IN

THE MARKET for a house. = I am looking for a house to buy.

(b) I have great news. That beautiful blue house two blocks from your

job is now ON THE MARKET. = It is up for sale.

***** Thank you for the question *****
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
On the market usually means that something is for sale as an individual item, ie a house.

My house is on the market.
There are a lot of houses on the market at the moment.

In the market, to me, means that many things are available within the same type of market.

There are lots of different designs in the laptop market at the moment.

As the previous poster said, we also say "I'm in the market for..." when we are thinking about buying something.
 

Allen165

Key Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Switzerland
On the market usually means that something is for sale as an individual item, ie a house.

My house is on the market.
There are a lot of houses on the market at the moment.

In the market, to me, means that many things are available within the same type of market.

There are lots of different designs in the laptop market at the moment.

As the previous poster said, we also say "I'm in the market for..." when we are thinking about buying something.

So would "There are lots of different designs on the laptop market." be incorrect according to you?
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
So would "There are lots of different designs on the laptop market." be incorrect according to you?

"There are a lot of different laptop designs on the market at the moment", yes, meaning that they are all on sale.

However, things "in the market" means in existence, to me at least.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top