The only thing on his upper body...

[99bottles]

I'm not sure what is the natural way to word this.

The only thing on his upper body was a vest.

The only thing covering his upper body was a vest.

 

[jutfrank]

I've said this several times before: say what you mean. If you mean 'covering', say 'covering'. If you don't, don't.

 

[99bottles]

I've said this several times before: say what you mean. If you mean 'covering', say 'covering'. If you don't, don't.

So, is on more vague in that context?

 

[jutfrank]

With on, it seems that you are trying to describe what he's wearing.

 

[99bottles]

With on, it seems that you are trying to describe what he's wearing.

But I thought it was obvious that I was trying to describe what he was wearing.

So, does covering convey some different meaning here?

 

[jutfrank]

But I thought it was obvious that I was trying to describe what he was wearing.

That's a typical problem with your questions. You tend to assume we know what you mean, and then you ask us what you mean.

So, does covering convey some different meaning here?

Yes, it conveys the idea of covering.

 

[99bottles]

That's a typical problem with your questions. You tend to assume we know what you mean, and then you ask us what you mean.



Yes, it conveys the idea of covering.

So, if I got it right, in this context...

-On means he was wearing the vest.
-Covering means his vest was on his body, but he was not wearing it (e.g. it was tied around his waist or he was carrying it over his shoulder etc.)

Have I got it right?

 

[5jj]

-On means he was wearing the vest.

Yes.

-Covering means his vest was on his body, but he was not wearing it (e.g. it was tied around his waist or he was carrying it over his shoulder etc.)

Have I got it right?

No. If you use 'covering', that word becomes important. We don't normally use 'cover' when we simply mean 'wear'. Perhaps this person has scars that he is sensitive about, and is hiding them by wearing a vest. I don't know; you used the verb.