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EagerSeeker Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

With vs on: which one when talking about using sth?

Hi,

I can't quite figure out what is the real difference between the prepositions on and with when they are used to talk about using something.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary tells the following:

on = by means of sth; using sth

"She played a tune on her guitar"

with = using sth

"Cut it with a knife"

So are they synonymys, kind of?

"She played a tune on her guitar" vs "She played a tune with her guitar"
"Cut it with a knife" vs "Cut it on a knife"

Thanks
  

Top answer

cut on a knife = unintentionally, usually describing an accident cut with a knife = intentionally (mostly) on/with a guitar= seem to be virtually synonymous

— Old Man Gordon

  • cut on a knife = unintentionally, usually describing an accident cut with a knife = intentionally (mostly) on/with a guitar= seem to be virtually synonymous
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5 Answers
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cut on a knife = unintentionally, usually describing an accident

cut with a knife = intentionally (mostly)

on/with a guitar= seem to be virtually synonymous
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Old Man Gordoncut on a knife = unintentionally, usually describing an accident

cut with a knife = intentionally (mostly)

on/with a guitar= seem to be virtually synonymous


Thank you Old Man Gordon, that was exactly what I wanted to know.
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EagerSeekeron = by means of sth; using sth

"She played a tune on her guitar"
Hmm. I'd say the verb play takes precedence here. play takes the preposition on when you name a musical instrument.

play ( [a tune / a melody / a few notes / ... ] ) on a [guitar / piano / clarinet / flute / trombone / violin /
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CalifJim
EagerSeekeron = by means of sth; using sth

"She played a tune on her guitar"
Hmm. I'd say the verb play takes precedence here. play takes the preposition on when you name a musical instrument.

play ( [a tune / a melody / a few notes / ... ] ) on a [guitar / piano / clari
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EagerSeekerNavigation on instruments
Not this one! I don't think navigation is ever done ona (musical) instrument!
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