[Grammar] ‘on the ocean’ usage

[northpath]

Is the preposition on correct in the sentence
‘Do you know how much time I’ve spent on the ocean?’
The alternatives are the preposition at or in

 

[emsr2d2]

"on the ocean" is correct.
"at the ocean" definitely isn't correct.

 

[jutfrank]

I assume you're talking about being in a boat, not swimming (or in a submarine), right?

An alternative is at sea.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

On the ocean means you're in a boat.

At the ocean means you're on the shore.

In the ocean means you're sinking or swimming.

 

[Raymott]

In the ocean means you're sinking or swimming.

Or, "not waving, but drowning."

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46479/not-waving-but-drowning

 

[Rover_KE]

Confusingly, we say 'at sea', but not 'at ocean' – as in 'The QE2 spent the day at sea', even if was on the Atlantic Ocean.

Don't ask me why.