in versus on, again

[Offroad]

Dear teachers...

Could you shed some light on this?

Murder in the White House
Murder on the White House.

What's the difference?

Many thanks

 

[bhaisahab]

Dear teachers...

Could you shed some light on this?

Murder in the White House
Murder on the White House.

What's the difference?

Many thanks

If someone committed murder in the White House, they did it inside the building. If it was on the White House it was presumably outside, on the roof.

 

[Offroad]

Thanks

One more question:

if we say 'on' the White House based on the fact that we don't know precisely where the incident happened...would it be wrong if it (had) happened inside the building?

Many thanks

 

[bhaisahab]

Thanks

One more question:

if we say 'on' the White House based on the fact that we don't know precisely where the incident happened...would it be wrong if it (had) happened inside the building?

Many thanks

Yes, it would be wrong. Use "at" for that situation.

 

[Barb_D]

No, you would say "on the White House" if it happened on the roof!

You'd say "at the White House" if it happened in or near the White House, somewhere on the White House grounds. It doesn't have to be inside, but it could have been.