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Lcchang Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

on fire/ on the fire

Dear teachers,

Do they make any difference?

The wood is on fire.

The wood is on the fire.

LCChang
  

Top answer

Hi, Do they make any difference? Yes. The wood is on fire.

— Clive

  • Hi, Do they make any difference?
  • Yes.
  • The wood is on fire.
  • It is burning.
  • The wood is on the fire.
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9 Answers
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Hi,

Do they make any difference? Yes.

The wood is on fire. It is burning.

The wood is on the fire. It is sitting on a pile of burning stuff.

Best wishes, Clive
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Indeed. If someone said "Your shirt is on fire!" you have cause to be quite alarmed. If someone said "Your shirt is on the fire," you have cause to be annoyed.
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Grammar Geek If someone said "Your shirt is on the fire," you have cause to be annoyed.
And if you were still in the shirt?

!!!
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Then perhaps you might have noticed before being told?
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Grammar GeekThen perhaps you might have noticed before being told?
I know a few drunken Brits who wouldn't realise until it was too late.

;-)
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One pint will not extinguish a whole burning shirt!
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