Kind of adverb

It is more like a particle of continuation: carry on, hurry on, etc.

Isn't it a preposition?

It is indeed an adverb. The simplest way to tell which function on it is performing is by its position in the sentence, If it ends the sentence, i.e. she carried on. When "on" is used in the middle of the sentence, i.e. the key is on the table. then it is a preposition.

grammarfreak The simplest way to tell which function on it is performing is by its position in the sentence, If it ends the sentence, i.e. she carried on

That would mean 'on; is an adverb in (1) and a preposition in (2).

1. he carried the tradition on.
2. He carried on the tradition.

I don't think so.

These little

We are talking about their grammatical roles in grammar, not preference.

adverb

1. 
   
   1.
   
   physically in contact with and supported by a surface.
   
   "make sure the lid is on"
   
   
2. 
   
   2.
   
   indicating continuation of a movement or action.
   

grammarfreakWe are talking about their grammatical roles in grammar, not preference.

I am not sure quite what you mean by that.

Actually, I am not sure what your last post is about. You have given exactly the same definition for (1) adverb and (3) preposition, without indicating why their 'grammatical roles in grammar' are different.

By the w

fivejedjonBy the way, there are no absolutes here. if a grammarian decides that 'on' is an adverb, then that's what it is in his/her school of grammar. The same goes for grammarians who decide it's a particle or preposition.

Move on - adverb
There is fly on your pie - pre

grammarfreak
"make sure the lid is on"
"she burbled on"
"on the table was a water jug"

I would call on a preposition in all three.

grammarfreakMove on - adverbThere is fly on your pie - prep.They aren't difficult to understand, are they?

There is nothing to understand. You have simply labelled 'on' in two groups of words. Earlier you suggested that its position in the group determined it label, something I questioned.

The fact that your labels are from a dictionary merely tells u

grammarfreakI think it is best that we don't share our threads

If you choose to absent yourself from threads in which I choose to participate, that is your choice.

I happen to feel that discussion is healthy.

One of the advantages of a forum like this over a book or website on grammar is that anybody, from the longest-serving moderator to the