Which One Is Correct: Get On the Car or Get In the Car?

This might seem like a small and trivial question, but it can actually confuse many people, especially non-native English speakers. It’s important to get it right because using the correct preposition can make a big difference. What is the right phrase: "get on the car" or "get in the car"?

The Basic Difference

The correct phrase to use is "get in the car." When you are referring to entering a vehicle, particularly smaller ones like cars, "in" is the preposition to use. You "get in" a car, "get in" a taxi, or "get in" a small boat.

Let’s break this down a bit more:

• Get In the Car: When you use "in," you're positioning yourself inside the car. Think of it as entering a small, enclosed space where you will be surrounded by the structure of the car. It implies a form of enclosure.
• Get On the Car: This phrase would mean physically climbing on top of the car, similar to how you would climb on top of a table or a roof. It's not the usual way people enter a car unless you’re a stunt person in a movie!

Why Is "In" Correct?

Enclosed Spaces

Cars are enclosed spaces. When you’re traveling in an enclosed area, you use "in." This is a general rule that also applies to rooms, houses, and even some forms of transportation like trains and airplanes. When you enter an enclosed space, "in" is the word to use.

Larger Vehicles

Something interesting happens with larger vehicles like buses, trains, airplanes, and ships. With these larger forms of transportation, we often use "on." For example, you would "get on" a bus or "get on" a plane. This might seem confusing, but it mostly has to do with the way people traditionally boarded these vehicles, often walking onto them rather than climbing into a small, confined space.

Everyday Usage

Think about how you talk about entering your home. You "get in" your house, don't you? Similarly, you "get in" smaller, confined spaces like elevators and closets. A car is similarly confined, which makes "in" the right word to use.

So Why The Confusion?

A lot of the confusion might come from the way other languages use prepositions, which can be very different. English prepositions can be tricky and do not always follow rules that apply in other languages. It's understandable that this might be a stumbling block.

Simple Tips To Remember

• Use "in" for cars.
• Use "on" for larger vehicles like buses, trains, and planes.
• Use "in" when you're entering any enclosed space.

Once you’re aware of these rules, you’ll find it much easier to know which preposition to use. So next time you need to hop into your car, remember, you need to "get in" the car, not "get on" it!