In the street or on the street

Question

Hello,Which preposition should be used before street, on or in?eg:1. That little boy is peeing in the street.2. That little boy is peeing on the street.If both are fine, usually which would be used in what scenario? Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Both are fine, and I don't usually discuss peeing on the street, so I cannot determine which might 'usually' be used -- and how many scenarios do you imagine there might be about a child peeing on/in the street, anyway?!

Aleilei · Answer

Mister Micawberhow many scenarios do you imagine there might be about a child peeing on/in the street, anyway?!

Thanks a lot.

Sorry, I failed to make a proper example and didn't put my question clearly.

To make it clear, in the following sentences, how would native speaker choose between in and on?

1. I'm walking in/on the street.

2. My house is in/on the fifth street.

3. Nowadays, there are more and more crimes happening in/on the streets.

4. It's 5th floor, it's dangerous to throw stuff out of the window. It may fall on passerby in/on the street.

5. Beggars are usually asking for money in/on the street.

Thanks~!!

Mister Micawber · Answer

1. I'm walking in/on the street. -- 'In' suggests there might also be a sidewalk.

2. My house is in/on the fifth street.-- BrE uses 'in'; AmE uses 'on'

3. Nowadays, there are more and more crimes happening in/on the streets.-- No difference to my ear.

4. It's 5th floor, it's dangerous to throw stuff out of the window. It may fall on passerby in/on the street.-- As #3

5. Beggars are usually asking for money in/on the street.-- 'On' sounds more natural to my ear.

In the street or on the street

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