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From: Chris Croughton <chris@keristor.net>
Newsgroups: alt.languages.english
Subject: Re: a simple question
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 10:52:37 +0000
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On Tue, 4 Jan 2005 17:12:45 +0800, Tom <tom@wordhacker.com> wrote:
> There are 2 birds _ the tree.
> in/on
> Which one should be filled in the blank?
Either could be correct. If they are not visible then 'in' would
definitely be correct, but if they are on high branches near the top of
the tree and visible I would use 'on'. Think of 'inside' versus "on top
of" the tree. Normally I would expect 'on' to imply that they could be
seen silhouetted against the sky. Where I work there are definitely
some trees on which birds can (and do) sit in that way, but there are
others where they sit within the leafy canopy.
Chris C
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