In/On a Bus

[AlbertBel]

I have seen "in the bus" and "on the bus". Are both correct?

 

[bhaisahab]

Both are possible.

 

[AlbertBel]

Both are possible.

But is there any difference in the meaning or not?

 

[José Manuel Rosón Bravo]

[Not a teacher]

"on a bus" when traveling using a bus.

"in a bus" when meaning that we are inside the bus.

The same in the case of coaches, trains or plains.

 

[AlbertBel]

So is this correct?: I read all the book on the bus in my way home.

 

[José Manuel Rosón Bravo]

[Not a teacher]

So is this correct?: I read all the book on the bus on my way home.

 

[TheParser]

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


Hello, Albert:

If you use "on a bus," it will probably always be considered correct.

A few books say that some people prefer "in" only in this very unusual kind of sentence (which I have made up):

"We were traveling on a bus. It started to suddenly snow very heavily. The driver announced: 'Sorry, folks. I have to park the bus on the side of the road until the snow stops falling. You will all have to sleep in the bus tonight.' " (My note: in other words, the bus becomes something like a hotel room. And we always say "in a room.")


James

 

[José Manuel Rosón Bravo]

(My note: in other words, the bus becomes something like a hotel room. And we always say "in a room.")

[Not a teacher]

I think that in this case we are emphasizing that the folks are inside the bus.

 

[Jill Dorchester]

"On" the bus is more common in AmE when referring to passengers aboard the vehicle. "In" the bus is usually only used in special or unusual circumstances, like in The Parser's example. As a rule, all methods of mass transportation - train, airplane, bus, ship - use "on" in AmE. (Doesn't seem very safe to ride "on" a vehicle, though. Evel Knievel can ride on the bus - I'm getting inside! :-D )

 

[José Manuel Rosón Bravo]

"On" the bus is more common in AmE when referring to passengers aboard the vehicle.

[Not a teacher]

If I am not wrong, "on" is also the correct option in such case in BrE.

 

[bhaisahab]

You are not wrong, José.