Do we go by bus or on bus?

On the Bus, In the Car: Prepositions and the Physics of Passenger Transport

The seemingly simple question – “Do we go by bus or on bus?” – reveals a subtle but fascinating distinction in English prepositions that reflects the very nature of the vehicles we use. While both phrases might be understood in casual conversation, a closer look illuminates the underlying logic and highlights a broader grammatical principle.

The preposition “by” indicates a means of transportation. We use “by” when describing the method of travel, regardless of the vehicle’s size or the passenger’s mobility within it. For example, we say “I went to work by bus,” “I travelled to London by train,” or even “I journeyed by camel.” The focus here is on the method of getting from point A to point B. The vehicle itself is secondary to the action of travelling.

Conversely, “on” implies a more physical presence upon the vehicle. This preposition is typically used with larger vehicles where passengers have a degree of freedom to move around. We’re literally on the bus, occupying a space within its larger confines. This contrasts sharply with smaller vehicles like cars, where we sit in the car, relatively confined to our seats with limited movement. The difference is not merely one of semantics; it speaks to the physical relationship between the passenger and the vehicle.

Consider the following examples:

• Correct: I travelled to the city by bus.
• Correct: I sat on the upper deck of the bus.
• Incorrect: I travelled to the city on bus. (Unless referring to a specific, named bus, e.g., “I travelled on the number 23 bus.”)
• Incorrect: I sat by the car.
• Correct: I sat in the car.

The usage of “on” often implies a more prolonged and perhaps less structured journey. One might say “I spent the afternoon on the cruise ship,” emphasizing the experience of being aboard the vessel rather than just the act of traveling from one port to another.

In essence, the choice between “by” and “on” (or “in”) is not arbitrary. It’s a reflection of the passenger’s physical relationship with the vehicle and the emphasis placed on the method of transport versus the experience of being within it. Larger vehicles, allowing for greater mobility, encourage the use of “on,” while the means of travel itself is better described with “by,” regardless of vehicle size. This nuanced difference highlights the richness and precision of the English language, even in seemingly simple prepositions.

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