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0
used to show that something is in a position above something else and touching it, or that something is moving into such a position:
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Look at all the books on your desk!
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Ow, you're standing on my foot!
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Your suitcase is on top of the wardrobe.
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They live in that old house on the hill.
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I got on my bike and left.
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1
covering the surface of, being held by, or connected to something:
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There's blood on your shirt.
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Which finger do you wear your ring on?
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Can you stand on your head?
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We could hang this picture on the wall next to the door.
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Dogs should be kept on their leashes at all times.
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UK We've just moved house and we're not on the phone (= not connected to the phone service) yet.
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2
used to show when something happens:
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Hair salons don't usually open on Sundays.
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What are you doing on Friday?
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My birthday's on 30 May.
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Would you mind telling me what you were doing on the afternoon of Friday the 13th of March?
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The bells in the clock tower ring every hour on the hour (= at exactly one o'clock, two o'clock, etc.).
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On a clear day you can see the mountains from here.
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She was dead on arrival (= dead when she arrived) at the hospital.
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Please leave your key at the reception desk on your departure from (= when you leave) the hotel.
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3
used to show where something has been written, printed, or drawn:
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Which page is that curry recipe on?
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His initials were engraved on the back of his watch.
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What's on the menu tonight? (= What food is available?)
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4
used for showing some methods of travelling:
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I love travelling on trains.
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She's coming in on the 5.30 bus.
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We went to France on the ferry.
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It'd be quicker to get there on foot.
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two figures on horseback
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5
used to show that a condition or process is being experienced:
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He accidentally set his bed on fire.
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Max's on holiday this week.
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I often get carsick when I'm on a long journey.
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Crime is on the increase (= is increasing) again.
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UK Their flights to Paris are on special offer at the moment.
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UK I'll be away on a training course next week.
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6
used to show the form in which something is recorded or performed:
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How much data can you store on the flash drive?
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When's the movie coming out on DVD?
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I was really embarrassed the first time I saw myself on film.
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What's on TV tonight?
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I wish there was more jazz on the radio.
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7
used to show what causes pain or injury as a result of being touched:
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I hit my head on the shelf as I was standing up.
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Be careful not to cut yourself on that knife.
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8
to or towards:
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Our house is the first on the left after the post office.
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The attack on the village lasted all night.
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I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me like that!
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9
relating to:
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a book on pregnancy
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Her talk is on Italian women's literature.
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The minister has refused to comment on the allegations.
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Criticism has no effect on him.
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Do the police have anything on you (= do they have any information about you that can be used against you)?
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10
used to show something for which a payment is made:
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He spent €180 on a hat.
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I've wasted a lot of money on this car.
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We made a big profit on that deal.
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How much interest are you paying on the loan?
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11
used to show a person or thing that is necessary for something to happen or that is the origin of something:
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We're relying on you.
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I might come - it depends on Andrew.
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Most children remain dependent on their parents while they are at university.
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His latest movie is based on a fairy tale.
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12
used to show when someone is involved or taking part in something:
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I'm working on a new book.
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"Where had we got up to?" "We were on page 42."
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13
used to show what is providing financial support or an income:
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I only have $70 a week to live on at the moment.
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He retired on a generous pension from the company.
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UK She's on (= earning) £25,000 a year.
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14
used to show something that is used as food, fuel, or a drug:
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What do mice live on?
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Does this radio run on batteries?
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Is he on drugs?
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15
next to or along the side of:
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It's a small town on the Mississippi River.
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Our house was on Sturton Street.
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Strasbourg is on the border of France and Germany.
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16
used to show when someone is a member of a group or organization:
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Have you ever served on a jury?
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There are no women on the committee.
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How many people are on your staff?
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UK She's a researcher on a women's magazine.
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17
used when referring to a tool, instrument, or system that is used to do something:
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I do all my household accounts on the computer.
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Chris is on drums and Mike's on bass guitar.
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I'm on (= talking on) the phone.
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18
used to show when something is repeated one or more times:
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19
used when making a comparison:
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That's my final offer, and I can't improve on it.
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The manufacturer has never improved on the earliest model of the car.
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UK The productivity figures are down/up on last week's.
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20
used to show when someone has something in a pocket or in a bag that they are carrying:
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Do you have a spare pen on you?
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I don't have my driving licence on me.
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21
happening after and usually because of:
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Acting on information given to them anonymously, the police arrested him.
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He inherited a quarter of a million pounds on his mother's death.
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On their return they discovered that their house had been broken into.
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22
used to show who is paying for something:
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Dinner meal is on me.
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She had her operation done on the National Health Service.
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23
used to show who suffers when something does not operate as it should:
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The phone suddenly went dead on me.
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Their car broke down on them on the way home.
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24
used to show the number of points a person or team has in a competition:
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Clive's team is on five points while Joan's is on seven.
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25
on your body or someone's body:
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It's very cold so put a coat on.
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She wanders around the house with nothing on.
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Can you remember what he had on (= was wearing)?
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I tried on a few jackets, but none of them looked nice.
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Screw the lid on tightly.
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Surgeons managed to sew the finger back on.
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26
used to show when something is operating or starting to operate:
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Could you switch on the radio?
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Would you turn the TV on?
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You left the bedroom light on.
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27
continuing or not stopping:
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If her phone's busy, keep on trying.
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Stop talking and get on with your work.
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If Elise would just hang on (= wait) a little longer she'd definitely get the promotion.
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The noise just went on and on (= continued for a long time), and I thought it would never stop.
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28
into a bus, train, plane, etc., or in the correct position to start using some other method of travelling:
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The train suddenly started moving as I was getting on.
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Her horse galloped off as soon as she was on.
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29
performing:
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Hurry up with the make-up - I'm on in ten minutes.
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The audience cheered as the band came on (= came onto the stage).
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30
continuing forward in time or space:
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They never spoke to each other from that day on (= after that day).
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What are you doing later on?
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When you're done with it, would you pass it on to Paul?
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UK Move on, please, and let the ambulance through.
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UK You cycle on and I'll meet you there.
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31
happening or planned:
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Is the party still on for tomorrow?
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I'm busy tomorrow, but I've got nothing on the day after.
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I've got a lot on at the moment.
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Food had to be rationed when the war was on.
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Are there any good movies on (= being shown) this week?
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32
used when talking about the position of one thing compared with the position of another:
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It's amazing nobody was injured because the two buses crashed head on (= the front parts of the buses hit each other).
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UK The bike hit our car side on (= hit the side of the car rather than the front or back).
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UK It would be easier to get the bookcase through the doorway if we turned it sideways on (= turned it so that one of its sides is at the front).
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33
supported by or resting at the top of another thing:
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There is snow on the ground.
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You put pudding in the pie crust and then put whipped cream on.
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34
attached to or forming a part of another thing:
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Read the instructions on the bag.
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Hang your coat on that hook.
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Don’t screw the lid on so tight.
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35
covering or wrapping another thing:
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The child had no shoes on her feet.
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You should put a coat on.
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The baby’s got nothing on (= is not wearing anything).
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36
being broadcast:
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What’s on TV tonight?
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I wish there were more jazz on the radio.
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37
used to show a method of travel; via:
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It’s easy to get to the beach on foot.
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Two people rode by on horseback.
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It’s time to get on the bus.
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38
at, near, or next to a particular place, thing, or person:
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They live on Carlisle Street.
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Which page is that cheesecake recipe on?
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El Paso is on the Mexican border.
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Princess Caroline was seated on my left.
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39
used to show the form in which information is stored or recorded for use with an electronic device:
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How much data can you store on your hard disk?
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That movie just came out on video.
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40
showing what tool, instrument, system, etc., is used to do or achieve something:
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I made this chart on my computer.
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I’m on the telephone.
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You’ll cut yourself on that knife if you’re not careful.
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41
showing that a drug is taken or used:
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42
used after some verbs and adjectives to show that help is needed from a person or thing:
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We’re counting on you to drive us to the airport.
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43
used to show that a condition or process exists or is being experienced:
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44
involved in or doing a particular thing:
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I’m working on a new book.
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She’s on a diet.
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There was a guard on duty.
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45
connected with or part of a group or process:
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Have you ever served on a jury?
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There are two women on the committee.
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46
about or having something as a subject:
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Did you see that documentary on volcanoes last night?
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Sarita’s thesis is on George Crumb.
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47
showing that something is paid for or how something is paid for:
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I’ve wasted a lot of money on this car.
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Lunch is on me.
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48
used to show when something happens:
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What are you doing on Friday?
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My birthday’s on May 30th.
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The flight arrived on time (= at the time it was expected).
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49
used to make a comparison:
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This week’s sales figures are down on last week’s.
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He’s got two inches on me (= is two inches taller).
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50
used to show that something has happened to someone:
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Marty is always playing jokes on people.
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My car broke down on me this morning.
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51
possessing, carrying, or having something with you now:
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Do you have any money on you?
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I don’t have my driver’s license on me.
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52
continuing or not stopping:
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If her line’s busy, keep on trying.
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53
toward or to something or someone:
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You go on and I’ll meet you at the lake.
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Pass the newsletter on to Emily.
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54
operating or made to start operating:
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Would you turn the TV on?
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The electricity hasn’t been turned back on yet.
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Andy was really on last night – I haven’t heard him sing like that in months.
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55
happening or planned:
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I have nothing on for tomorrow.
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Is the party still on?