In/on

Question

Hi,I lost my keys in/on the street.Which preposition is correct?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI lost my keys in/on the street.Which preposition is correct?

Both are in common use.

Anonymous · Answer

Both sentences are completely grammatical, but they generally would not be heard today in the US. The problem is that they sound too stark, because the phrases "in the street" and "on the street" are used today almost exclusively in certain set constructions, with very unpleasant connotations, like: "He's living on the street." or "He was thrown out in the street." or "He hustles for a living on the street." Used outside of these situations, the phrase sounds awkward and confusing (did you lose your keys on the street while you were living on the street?).

You'd more likely hear something like: "I think I lost my keys somewhere along ____ Street." or "I must have dropped my keys somewhere along ____ Street."

Clive · Answer

Both are fine.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would think the speaker is a homeless person or a prostitute just because they use that phrase .

Clive

In/on

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