by R. S. Karunaratne

Many uses of ‘on’

‘On’ is used as a preposition to indicate position or to specify a time.

“Keep all your books on the table,” the teacher said.

We saw cattle grazing on the meadow.

“I am on the bus, can you call me later,” she said.

They come here on holidays.

I have less work on Mondays.

1. ‘On’ is used to talk about dependence.

Do you still depend on your parents?

Can I bank on your support?

I rely on you for good advice.

You can always count on Samson in a crisis.

They are struggling to survive on very little income.

After she lost her job, she had to manage on her husband’s salary.

2. ‘On’ can be used to say what is talked about.

At least they agree on one thing - the power sharing.

He advised the US president on Afghanistan policy.

I do not want you to comment on my work.

All his friends remarked on the change in him.

The chairman asked him to talk on management.

His teachers used to lecture him on his manners.

I disagree with you on that point.

We have to take a vote on the issue.

3. ‘On’ is used to say what receives money, time, or sympathy.

Some people waste money on smoking.

Why do you spend so much on clothes?

4. ‘On’ is used to emphasize that something is connected, continuing or going forward.

He is busy, can you hold on a minute?

His speech dragged on and no one was listening.

I can’t go on working like this!

They carried on their illegal activities despite frequent police raids.

You can try on this shirt before buying it.

Wait till I put my glasses on.

5. There are certain verbs that always go with ‘on’

Sriya caught a cold on Sunday.

They agreed to carry on the debate at some other time.

Nobody can go on working for the same boss.

Let’s move on to the next item.

He kept on asking for money.

It was raining heavily, but we pressed on regardless.

I’m not tired, let’s push on.

I’ll stay on the sidelines, for the time being.

The couple signed on the dotted line.

6. There are many nouns that follow ‘on’

His car was equipped with on - board computers.

He goes to school on foot.

She is on the phone all day!

I watched the film on TV.

She switched on the radio.

They have come here on business.

The sentry on duty was fast asleep!

Xavier is on holiday this week.

How much data can you store on a disk.

Some petroleum workers are on strike.

Today you’re on time for the lecture.

They are on track to make record profits.

Saumya is well on the way to completing the report.

Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.

Many books are on sale during the literary month.

This exhibit is on loan from another museum.

When the fire brigade arrived the row of houses was still on fire.

The project is on ice until the question of funding is resolved. (Shelved or waiting)

All the information is on tap. (readily available)

She is going on a diet to lose weight.

7. Some adjectives are followed by ‘on’

Narmada is keen on table tennis.

The police are tough on the underworld characters.

My future is dependent on how I fare in exams.

The film is based on a novel.

8. Set phrases

The speeches went on and on, and we fell asleep.

What’s going on here? (what’s happening?)

Starters

Spelling rules

There are five vowels in the English alphabet. They are a, e, i, o, u.

The consonants are: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z

1. words of one syllable having one vowel and ending in a single consonant, double the consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word.

Examples:

run + er = runner

hit + ting = hitting

knit + ted = knitted

Exceptions:

keep - keeping

help - helped

love - loved

2. Two or three syllable words ending in a single consonant following a single vowel double the final consonant when the stress falls on the last syllable.

Examples:

begin + er = beginner

recur + ing = recurring

Exceptions:

answer : answerer

answer : answered

orbit : orbiting

3. The final consonant of kidnap, worship, handicap, bias, fuel, dial is also doubled.

Examples: kidnapper, worshipper, handicapped, biassed, refuelled, dialled

4. words ending in ‘L’ following a single vowel usually double the ‘L’

Examples: quarrel - quarrelled

signal - signalled

distil - distilled

appal - appalled

model - modelled

repel - repellent

5. Words ending in ‘E’ following a consonant drop the ‘E’ before a suffix beginning with a vowel.

Examples:

love - loving

believe - believer

move - movable

Exception:

Like - likable or likeable

(To be continued)

One word for many -Give one word for each group of words and check your answers with the key.

1. Philosophy of living austerely ———————

2. Hatred of mankind —————-

3. Social custom of plural marriage —————-

4. Doctor specialising in female disorders—————-

5. Able to use both hands with equal skill——————

6. One’s inner or mental life ——————-

7. Study of behaviour ——————

8. Anti-social person ————————

9. Handwriting analyst ——————-

10. Gum specialist ————————

11. Artistic hand writing ———————-

12. Science of human development ————————

13. Science of the heavens —————————-

14. Science of the composition of the earth —————

15. Story of someone’s life ———————

16. Story of one’s own life ——————-

17. Great misfortune ————————

18. Self rule ———————

19. Science dealing with insects ——————-

20. Book collector —————-

Key

1. asceticism

2. misanthropy

3. polygamy

4. gynaecologist

5. ambidextrous

6. psyche

7. psychology

8. psychopath

9. graphologist

10. periodontist

11. calligraphy

12. anthropology

13. astronomy

14. geology

15. biography

16.autobiography

17. disaster

18. autonomy

19. entomology

20. bibliophile