Go to a place for a holiday.
On television/on the radio.
On the phone/telephone.
(Be/go) on strike/on a diet.
(Be) on fire.
On purpose.
In the rain/in the sun.
(Write) in ink/in biro/in pencil (UNIT 126).
On holiday etc.
(be/go) on holiday/on business/on a trip/on a tour/on a cruise etc.:
Tom's away at the moment. He's on holiday in France. (not' in holiday')
Did you go to Germany on business or on holiday?
One day I'd like to go on a world tour.
Go to a place for a holiday
Note that you can also say: 'go to a place for a holiday/for my holiday(s)':
Tom has gone to France for a holiday. (not 'for holiday')
Where are you going for your holidays next summer?
Other expressions with on
on television/on the radio:
I didn't watch the news on television, but I heard it on the radio.
On the phone/telephone
You can't phone me. I'm not on the phone. (= I haven't got a phone.)
I've never met her but I've spoken to her on the phone.
(Be/go) on strike/on a diet
There are no trains today. The railway workers are on strike.
I've put on a lot of weight. I'll have to go on a diet.
(Be) on fire
Look! That car is on fire!
On the whole (= in general)
Sometimes I have problems at work but on the whole I enjoy my job.
On purpose (= intentionally)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to annoy you. I didn't do it on purpose.
But: by mistake/by chance/by accident.
In the rain/in the sun (=sunshine)/in the shade/in the dark /in bad weather etc.
We sat in the shade. It was too hot to sit in the sun.
Don't go out in the rain. Wait until it stops.
(Write) in ink/in biro/in pencil
When you do the exam, you're not allowed to write in pencil.
Also: in words, in figures, in block letters etc.:
Please fill in the form in block letters.
(Pay) in cash
I paid the bill in cash. but I paid by cheque by credit card (see Unit 127).
(Be/fall) in love (with somebody)
Have you ever been in love with anybody?
In (my) opinion
In my opinion, the film wasn't very good.
At the age of... etc.
We say: at the age of .../at a speed of .../at a temperature of ... etc. For example:
Jill left school at 16. or ... at the age of 16.
The train was travelling at 120 miles an hour. or ... at a speed of 120 miles an hour.
