[General] why is it "IN the space", "IN the blank" but "ON the line"?

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jacqztabz

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why is it "IN the space", "IN the blank" but "ON the line"?

I encounter various activity directions that ask students to put their answers "in the space", "in the blank" or "on the line before each number. If the space, blank or line that are referred to all show a "line" before each number, are the directions grammatically incorrect? Why do we use "IN" for spaces and blanks but "ON" for lines?


Write your answer in the space provided before each number.
_________________1. The . .. . . . .

Write your answer in the blank before each number.
_________________1. The . .. . . . .


Write the letters of your answers on the line before each number.
__________________1. The . . . . . . .
 

bhaisahab

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Re: why is it "IN the space", "IN the blank" but "ON the line"?

I encounter various activity directions that ask students to put their answers "in the space", "in the blank" or "on the line before each number. If the space, blank or line that are referred to all show a "line" before each number, are the directions grammatically incorrect? Why do we use "IN" for spaces and blanks but "ON" for lines?


Write your answer in the space provided before each number.
_________________1. The . .. . . . .

Write your answer in the blank before each number.
_________________1. The . .. . . . .


Write the letters of your answers on the line before each number.
__________________1. The . . . . . . .

We can put something in (inside) a space, we cannot put something in (inside) a line. Try it sometime.;-)
 
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