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Smart Humanism Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

Is the preposition "on" also okay to use instead of "in" in this sentence?

Hi.
I looked the word "face" which is a noun in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

There is the below sentence as an example.

"The birds build their nests in the rock face."

But I thought "on" is more appropriate in that sentence instead of "in",
because "face" means a surface.

I am not a native English speaker, so maybe I am thinking wrong.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

I'd probably say on , too. But i wouldn't say in is wrong. It suggests that they build in cracks in the rock face.

— Clive

  • I'd probably say on , too.
  • But i wouldn't say in is wrong.
  • It suggests that they build in cracks in the rock face.
  • Clive
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4 Answers
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I'd probably say on, too.

But i wouldn't say in is wrong. It suggests that they build in cracks in the rock face.

Clive
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Smart Humanism"The birds build their nests in the rock face."
I imagine a vertical cliff side. I doubt the nests would stay in place if they were built on the rock face. There must be cavities perpendicular to the rock face, and it is in those places that the birds build their nests. That's my interpretation.

CJ
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"on" works for me if the nests are on ledges, which is the first thing I visualise.
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Thank you so much guys.
All of your answers were helpful much.
Have a great day.
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