What prepositions do we use to talk about transport? The most common prepositions for transport are ‘on’, ‘in’ and ‘by’.

What prepositions do we use to talk about transport?

The most common prepositions for transport are ‘on’, ‘in’ and ‘by’.

 

‘On’ is used for public transport, where we share the vehicle with other passengers:

 

I waved to my friend on the bus.

Sorry, I can’t call you – I’m on a plane!

There was a restaurant on our train.

There were many famous people on the Titanic.

 

‘In’ is used for private transport, where you don’t share the vehicle (this includes taxis):

 

Dogs are not welcome in my car.

A maximum of five people can sit in a taxi.

The farmer spent all day in the tractor.

 

(we can sometimes also use ‘in’ with public transport – when we are emphasising the space, not the journey: It was much warmer in the bus)

 

‘By’ is used after a verb (or a noun like journey, voyage) to describe the mode of travel. ‘By’ can be used with nouns of vehicle (car, bus, plane etc.) of nouns of medium (road, sea, air etc.):

 

We went there by train, but we returned by bus.

I love travelling by sea – it’s so romantic!

 

‘In’ for public transport, ‘on’ for private transport, ‘by’ to describe a verb.