By adding "on", can I express the continuing action of a subject?

Question

1. You have to have your ticket on until you leave this club.

("on" is modifying "have" as in "have your ticket")

2. They wanted me on to remain as an assistant in the laboratory.

("on" is modifying "wanted")

3. He used to tell me on about the story until I went to sleep.

("on" is modifying "tell")

4. He said on about him until you called me on the phone.

("on" is modifying "said")

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

None of the four sentences you wrote is natural English.

#1 is just about possible with 'you' after 'one'.

#2 is possible if you delete 'on'.

#3 and #4 need to be recast completely.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

These are natural (casual) English.

1. You have to keep / have your ticket on you until you leave this club.

2. They wanted me to stay on ~~on to remain~~ as an assistant in the laboratory.

3. He used to tell me ~~on about~~ the story until I went to sleep.

4. He ~~said~~ was going on and on about him until you called me on the phone.

Anonymous · Answer

The following are okay:

1. You have to have your ticket on you until you leave this club. ("On you" is a prepositional phrase with an adverbial function, modifying "have.")

2. They wanted me to remain on as an assistant in the laboratory. ("On" is an adverb modifying "remain.")

3. He used to go on about the story until I went to sleep. ("On" is an adverb modifying "go.")

4. He went on about him until you called me on the phone. ("On" is an adverb modifying "went.")

CalifJim · Answer

fire1By adding "on", can I express the continuing action of a subject?

Sometimes, but certainly not always. You need to learn the phrasal verbs and idioms that use "on" to express continuation. You can't arbitrarily add "on" anywhere you like.

hold on to / hang on to : continue to hold

Can you hold on to my books while I tie my shoe?
When you swing your partner, don't forget to hang on.

stay on : continue to stay in the same place

We liked Rome so much we stayed on for a few days.

carry on / go on / drone on: keep talking

You're carrying/going on like you're the only person with anything to say.
The lecture was boring; the professor droned on for an hour without stopping.

live on : endure; continue to affect

Fred's grandmother died several years ago, but her funny stories live on in her family's traditions.

There are many more expressions with "on" that have nothing to do with continuing.

CJ

By adding "on", can I express the continuing action of a subject?

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