Natural World Prepositions: When to Use IN and ON (A1 English) — A1 English vocabulary lesson by Langcom

Natural World Prepositions: When to Use IN and ON (A1 English)

Raúl Maguiña

Fondateur de Langcom | Examinateur pour les examens de Cambridge et du SIELE

septembre 23, 2026

A1📚 Vocabulaire⏱️ 4 min de lecture📅 Mise à jour en septembre 2026
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To talk about locations in the natural world, we often use the prepositions in et on. These small words help us say exactly where something is. For example, we say in the river for something inside the water, and on the mountain for something on its surface. Understanding the difference is important for clear communication in English. Think of in for being *inside* or *surrounded by* something, like in the sky ou in the forest. Use on for being *on the surface* of something, like on a tree ou on the ground. This lesson will help you use these prepositions correctly with common nature words at an A1 level, making your descriptions more precise and natural.

What Are Prepositions in et on?

Prepositions are small words that tell us about location, time, or direction. For example, they tell us where something is.

Today, we focus on in et on. These prepositions are very common when we talk about places in nature.

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When to Use in with Nature Words?

Nous utilisons in when something is *inside* a place or *surrounded* by it. Think of it like being within boundaries.

  • in the river: This means something is in the water.
  • in the sky: This means something is up in the air, surrounded by the sky.
  • in the forest: This means something is among the trees.

When to Use on with Nature Words?

Nous utilisons on when something is *on the surface* of another thing. Think of it like touching the top or side.

  • on the mountain: This means something is on the side or top of the mountain.
  • on a tree: This means something is on a branch or the trunk of a tree.
  • on the ground: This means something is touching the earth's surface.

Quick Tips for in vs. on

Remember these simple ideas to choose the correct preposition:

  • Utilisation in for spaces you can be *inside* or *surrounded by*.
  • Utilisation on for surfaces you can be *on top of* or *attached to*.
Common Natural World Words with <span data-no-translation>in</span> ou <span data-no-translation>on</span>
Nature Word Préposition Example Sentence
river in The fish swims in the river.
sky in The sun is in the sky.
forest in Deer live in the forest.
mountain on There is a path on the mountain.
tree on A bird built a nest on the tree.
ground on My dog likes to play on the ground.

Exemples

  • There is a fish in the river.
  • The clouds are in the sky.
  • Many birds live in the forest.
  • We saw snow on the mountain.
  • An apple is growing on the tree.
  • The leaves fell on the ground.

Entraînement

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Erreurs courantes chez les hispanophones

Une erreur courante chez les hispanophones consiste à utiliser on when in is correct, or vice-versa. This is because the Spanish word "en" can mean both in et on.

  • Incorrect : The boat is on the river.
  • Correct : The boat is in the river. (It is in the water, surrounded by it.)
  • Incorrect : There are flowers in the mountain.
  • Correct : There are flowers on the mountain. (They are on the surface of the mountain.)

Questions fréquemment posées

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. It often shows location, time, or direction. Examples are in, on, at, under.

Why are in et on difficult for Spanish speakers?

In Spanish, the word "en" can be used for both in et on. This means learners need to remember when to choose in and when to choose on in English, based on the specific meaning of 'inside' or 'on the surface'.

Can I say on the sky?

No, you cannot say on the sky. The correct preposition is in the sky because things like clouds or birds are surrounded by the sky, not just on its surface.

Leçons associées

À propos de l'auteur : Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña est le directeur de l'Asociación Educativa Langcom, un centre agréé de préparation à l'examen Cambridge English situé à votre pays. Fort de plus d'une décennie d'expérience dans l'enseignement des langues et les certifications internationales, il a aidé des milliers d'étudiants, d'enseignants et d'établissements d'enseignement dans 25 pays à obtenir les certifications d'anglais Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL et Michigan.

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