# on Source: https://englishreference.com/word/on Updated: 2026-07-09 ## Senses ### 1. location or surface preposition · CEFR A1 touching the top or side of a surface. For teachers: indicating a position in physical contact with and supported by a surface. - He left his phone on the kitchen table while he went to get his keys. - The delicate porcelain vase sat precariously on the edge of the mantelpiece, vibrating slightly every time a heavy truck passed the house. ### 2. days and dates preposition · CEFR A1 used to show the day or date when something happens. For teachers: indicating a specific day or calendar date. - The party is on Saturday evening, so I hope you can come. - The treaty was officially signed on the twelfth of October, marking the end of nearly a decade of border disputes. Usage: Always used before specific days of the week or calendar dates. ### 3. about a subject preposition · CEFR B1 about or concerning a specific topic. For teachers: concerning or dealing with a particular subject or area of study. - She is writing a report on the history of the local park. - The professor published a definitive monograph on the migration patterns of Arctic terns, drawing from twenty years of field data. Teaching tip: 'On' is often used for more formal or academic topics compared to 'about'. ### 4. using a device preposition · CEFR A2 using a machine, tool, or system like a phone or computer. For teachers: indicating the medium or instrument used to perform an action or transmit information. - I spent all morning on the computer trying to finish my homework. - The news was first broadcast on the radio before being picked up by major television networks an hour later. ### 5. working or active adverb · CEFR A1 in a state where a machine or light is working or providing power. For teachers: indicating a state of being functional, operating, or switched to an active mode. - Is the heating on? It feels very cold in here. - The emergency lights came on automatically as soon as the main power grid failed during the storm. Usage: Often follows the verb 'to be' or functions as a particle in phrasal verbs like 'turn on'. ### 6. continuing adverb · CEFR B1 continuing an action without stopping. For teachers: indicating the continuation or progression of an action. - They walked on for another mile despite the heavy rain. - The speaker droned on for nearly two hours, oblivious to the fact that half the audience had already left the hall. Usage: Commonly used with verbs of motion or duration like 'walk on' or 'go on'. ### 7. happening as planned adjective · CEFR B1 happening or taking place as scheduled. For teachers: occurring or taking place; often used to describe events or performances. - The festival is still on, even though it might rain later today. - Despite the sudden resignation of the lead actor, the director insisted that the opening night performance was still on. Usage: Usually functions as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'. ### 8. acceptable adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal fair or acceptable to do. For teachers: appropriate, acceptable, or fair in a social or competitive context. - Asking me to work through my lunch break is just not on. - The committee decided that such a blatant conflict of interest was simply not on, and they demanded a full investigation. Teaching tip: Commonly used in the negative ('it's just not on') to describe unfair behaviour. ## Examples - The book is on the table. - She left her keys on the kitchen counter before heading out to work. - The legal team agreed to meet on Monday to discuss the implications of the new regulations on the company's international operations. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.