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Brunces Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
When to use the prepositions ABOUT or ON
Friends,
How do I know whether I have to use the preposition ABOUT or ON?
Examples:
- There are no instructions on how to do this.
- Where is my story on James Stweart?
In the sentences above, why can't we use ABOUT instead of ON? What is the difference between these two prepositions? What are the rules?
Thansk very much for your attention, guys.
brunces
How do I know whether I have to use the preposition ABOUT or ON?
Examples:
- There are no instructions on how to do this.
- Where is my story on James Stweart?
In the sentences above, why can't we use ABOUT instead of ON? What is the difference between these two prepositions? What are the rules?
Thansk very much for your attention, guys.
brunces
Top answer
g. I was having a conversation about money? g.
- g.
- I was having a conversation about money?
- g.
- The little children are reading a book about Peter Pan.
- (not on because that would suggest that they are reading a study of, for example, the use of symbolism and abstracts matters that occur in the Peter Pan tale.
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5 Answers
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As a rule you can use this:
ABOUT = when talking about something that is ordinary and general
e.g. I was having a conversation about money?
e.g. The little children are reading a book about Peter Pan. (not on because that would suggest that they are reading a study of, for example, the use of symbolism and abstracts matters that occur in the Peter Pan t
ABOUT = when talking about something that is ordinary and general
e.g. I was having a conversation about money?
e.g. The little children are reading a book about Peter Pan. (not on because that would suggest that they are reading a study of, for example, the use of symbolism and abstracts matters that occur in the Peter Pan t
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BruncesIn the sentences above, why can't we use ABOUT instead of ON?Not to take anything away from the above answer but the unfortunate truth is that there is often no particular reason other than "that's just the way we say it" for choosing among prepositions. Your question provides a perfect example. I don't see any compelling reason to use either "on"
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BruncesHow do I know whether I have to use the preposition ABOUT or ON?Often, either one will do, but generally speaking, the choice is swayed one way or the other by the preceding word.
Examples:
- There are no instructions on how to do this.
- Where is my story on James Stweart?
I would say instructions on and
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Anonymousto discuss on the above mentioned subject ? is it correct?Not if 'the above-mentioned subject' is supposed to be the object of the verb 'discuss', in which case the preposition should be dropped.
However, you could have: There is not much to discuss on the above-mentioned subject.
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