ENGLISH
REFERENCE

onto

prep.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈɑntu// UK //ˈɒntʊ// on·to General-service Informal

prep. to a position on top of something. You use this when something moves from one place to another surface.

prep. to a position on or in contact with the surface of something. Indicates movement or direction toward a surface, rather than just a static location.


SIMPLE

The cat jumped onto the table.

CONTEXTUAL

The workers loaded the heavy boxes onto the truck before the rain started.

COMPLEX

The sunlight spilled onto the polished floor, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air of the quiet library.

Origin

From on + to, after into. Compare Saterland Frisian antou (“up to”).

Usage

Used with verbs of motion to indicate the destination surface; often written as two words ('on to') in British English when 'on' is part of a phrasal verb.

Pitfall

The book is onto the deskThe book is on the deskOnto implies movement toward a surface; use 'on' for a static position.

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