Correct use of a word in a certain circumstance

Question

I live in/on Cyprus and have recently be hearing english people using the following phrase:

"We live on Cyprus" or "I used to work on Cyprus"

I have always used "in" and not "on", can someone please tell me which is the correct way to say this sentence? I thought for some time that this was just a fad or new trendy way to speak but then recently heard the use of "on Cyprus" in a BBC news bulitin.

Maybe they are both acceptable? Or maybe it is used in the same sense as "up to London" even if you are in the north, as in you always go up to your capital.

Thanks

Blue Jay · Accepted Answer

We say in a country but on an island. If in your mind you view Cyprus in terms of it being an island then it follows that you live or work on it.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks BlueJay

I need more replies though, as I am now in an ongoing debate with a clever clogs friend of mine that needs to be proven wrong! She says "in Cyprus"

Thanks
Steve

Blue Jay · Answer

AnonymousI am now in an ongoing debate with a clever clogs friend of mine that needs to be proven wrong! She says "in Cyprus"

Steve, I don't think you will be able to prove her wrong. I said that you could say on Cyprus because it is an island, but you could equally say in Cyprus because it is a country. It just depends on whether you have in mind Cyprus-the-island or Cyprus-the-country.

Correct use of a word in a certain circumstance

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