on
Touching and being held up by the top or side of something.
Physically in contact with and supported by the top or side of something.
Used to talk about a certain day or date.
Used to indicate a specific day, date, or occasion when something happens.
Shows that a machine or system is working or running.
Used to show that a device, machine, or system is switched to an operating state.
Shows something keeps happening or moving forward.
Indicates continuation of an action, process, or state without stopping.
Used to show what something is about.
Used to indicate that something relates to or discusses a particular subject or topic.
- Base: on
- Plural: ons
on and off
1intermittently over time
Happening sometimes but not regularly.
- It rained on and off all day.
- They’ve been dating on and off for years.
on board
1Inside or part of a vehicle/vessel
On or in a ship, plane, bus, or train; also part of a team or project.
- All passengers are now on board.
- We’re glad to have you on board for this project.
on board
2present in vehicle or involved in project
On or in a ship, plane, train, etc., or part of a team or project.
- Welcome on board flight 302 to Paris.
- We’re glad to have you on board for this project.
on time
1At the scheduled moment
At exactly the planned or right moment; not late.
- The train arrived on time despite the rain.
- She always pays her bills on time.
on time
2happening as planned or scheduled
At the planned or correct time; not late.
- The train arrived on time.
- Please be on time for the meeting.
on purpose
1Intentionally, not accidentally
To do something on purpose means you do it because you want to, not by accident.
- I didn't break the vase on purpose.
- She left early on purpose so she could avoid traffic.
on purpose
2done deliberately, not by mistake
Done with intention, not by accident.
- She broke the vase on purpose.
- He left early on purpose to avoid traffic.
on purpose
3deliberately; not by accident
To do something on purpose means to do it intentionally, not by mistake or by chance.
- You broke my phone on purpose, didn’t you?
- He spilled coffee on his shirt and then joked that he did it on purpose to leave the meeting early.
- She didn’t ignore you on purpose; she just didn’t see your message.
on the other hand
1introducing a contrast between ideas
Used to introduce an opposite or different idea from what was said before.
- I like living in the city. On the other hand, it can be very noisy.
- I like city life. On the other hand, it can be stressful.
- He might agree. On the other hand, he could refuse.
- He seems strict, but on the other hand, he cares deeply about his students.
- He’s very talented. On the other hand, he can be lazy.
on the other hand
2introducing an opposite view
Used to introduce an opposite idea or fact.
- I love city life. On the other hand, it can be very stressful.
- He’s very talented. On the other hand, he lacks experience.
on the other hand
5contrasting point
Use this when you want to show the other side of an argument.
- The apartment is small. On the other hand, it is close to work.
- The plan could save money; on the other hand, it may take longer.
- Some people enjoy working from home. On the other hand, others miss the office.
- The course is expensive. On the other hand, the teacher is excellent.
- I like the city. On the other hand, it is very noisy.