on

Everyday

1. On means touching the top or side of something: on the table, on the wall. tree →
2. On shows a day or date: on Monday. tree →
3. On means working or switched on: the light is on. tree →
4. On shows what something is about: a book on sharks. tree →
5. On means going ahead, carrying on: read on. tree →
6. On means happening as planned: the party is still on. tree →
7. (casual) «You're on!» accepts a dare or a bet; «what are you on about?» means what do you mean; «not on» (UK, Australia) means not acceptable; «on me» means I'll pay. tree →
8. (rough) «Get on with it!» means hurry up; «come on!» can be an angry push or a cheer; «having me on» means fooling me. tree →
9. (formal) The exam voice says «upon», «situated upon», «concerning», «on the occasion of», «in the event of», «on each occasion». tree →
10. On can also mean against someone or aimed at someone, as in "a vengeance on her." tree →

In the lessons

on the table, on the board, on Monday; «on each» marks equal groups («4 birds on each branch»); in everyday life «turn on», «get on the bus», «put on your coat», «go on», «on time», «on foot», «on and on»; in safety «put your seat belt on»; in casual talk «you're on», «it's on me», «you having me on?»; in rough talk «get on with it», «come on»; in the exam voice «situated upon», «upon each shelf», «on the occasion of»

Examples

• I put three spoons on the table. tree →
• Ben bought 6 cards on Monday … tree →
• There are 4 birds on each branch. tree →
• The cat is sleeping on my bed. tree →
• Turn the light on, please. tree →
• Put your coat on; it's cold. tree →
• We went to school on foot. tree →
• Read on to find out what happens. tree →
• race ya to the gate? «you're on» tree →
• Ice creams are on me, how many we need? tree →
• Oh, get on with it, just count them! tree →
• There are 3 shelves; upon each shelf are situated 6 volumes. Determine the total. tree →
• "A vengeance on her!" said they. tree →

Note

No clue by itself; «on the table» marks where things are counted. Trap: «on each» or «upon each» marks equal groups: multiply. «it's on me» means I'll pay, not a place. «You having me on?» means are you joking. Use «on» for days (on Monday), «in» for months (in May), «at» for clock times (at 3). «upon» is a stiff form of «on».

In Jewish tradition

on the table, on the board, on Monday; «on each» marks equal groups («4 birds on each branch»); in everyday life «turn on», «get on the bus», «put on your coat», «go on», «on time», «on foot», «on and on»; in safety «put your seat belt on»; in casual talk «you're on», «it's on me», «you having me on?»; in rough talk «get on with it», «come on»; in the exam voice «situated upon», «upon each shelf», «on the occasion of»

Examples

• So the people rested on the seventh day. (Torah EXO.16.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. (Torah GEN.12.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. (Torah GEN.33.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is there injustice on my tongue? (Writings JOB.6.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the Leader; on the Sheminith. (Writings PSA.12.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? (Writings PSA.35.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

No clue by itself; «on the table» marks where things are counted. Trap: «on each» or «upon each» marks equal groups: multiply. «it's on me» means I'll pay, not a place. «You having me on?» means are you joking. Use «on» for days (on Monday), «in» for months (in May), «at» for clock times (at 3). «upon» is a stiff form of «on».