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Tutor Lady Ayame 's Column

Learn Transportation Prepositions!

Sep 4, 2023

Dear Cafetalk Community,

How are you? I know it's still extremely hot in Japan, but in Canada, I can feel that fall is just around the corner. Although it's been sweltering hot around most of the world, Canada, where I live, has been a relatively cool summer. I've only had to turn on my air-conditioner now and again this summer.

By the end of October, at least by Halloween, we will have our first snowfall. Due to the fact that I'm from Southern California, Santa Monica to be exact, I'm used to the summer weather around the year. It's still difficult for me to get used to the extremely cold temperatures. (-25 to -45 degrees Celcius)

[Today's topic: "Prepositions" related to vehicles and modes of transportation:]

Today, I'm writing about the use of preposition that corresponds with a variety of modes of transportation. 

Let's think about it. Why do you ride "on" a bus but ride "in" a taxi? Why do you ride "in" a car but you ride "on" the train? Don't you think it's interesting how the prepositions change depending on the mode of transportation??? (i.e. train, bus, car, scooter, plane, taxi, etc.)

If you would like to know which preposition corresponds to which mode of transportation, I think it will mitigate your confusion if you memorize them. There are many when you think about it. Please take a look at some examples below. 

[For example]
preposition + car = in
preposition + bus = on
preposition + taxi = in
preposition + train = on
preposition + plane = on

Why do the prepositions change depending on the vehicle? Well, let's try to visualize the mode of transportation you are riding in. Are you "in" and "surrounded" by the vehicle? Are you "on" the vehicle? If the vehicle is confined on all sides, please imagine the word "in." On the other hand, if you are "on" the vehicle," you should be "on" a vehicle in a relatively large area. 

I hope you understand how the preposition changes on the mode of transportation and you were able to visualize the difference between "in" and "on." 

That's my contribution to your English learning journey. I sincerely hope that helps. The video has many good examples. If you have any questions let me know in class or leave a comment here. 

I wish you a wonderful rest of the summer! Hope to see you soon!

Warmest regards,

Lady Ayame
(Patricia Ayame Thomson)
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カフェトークの皆さん、

お元気ですか?日本ではまだまだ猛暑が続いていますが、カナダでは秋がすぐそこまで来ているのを感じます。世界的に猛暑が続いていますが、私の住むカナダは比較的涼しい夏でした。この夏を通してクーラーをつけたのは、たまにしかない。10月末には、少なくともハロウィーンまでには初雪が降るだろう。私は南カリフォルニア、正確にはサンタモニカ出身なので、一年中夏のような気候に慣れている。

【今日のお題:「

今日は、様々な交通手段に対応する前置詞の使い方について書きます。

考えてみましょう。なぜバスに「乗る」のか、タクシーに「乗る」のか。なぜ車に「乗る」のに電車には「乗る」のか?交通手段(電車、バス、車、スクーター、飛行機、タクシーなど)によって前置詞が変わるのは面白いと思いませんか?

どの前置詞がどの交通手段に対応するのか知りたい場合は、暗記しておくと混乱が緩和されると思います。
前置詞+車=in
前置詞+バス=on
前置詞+タクシー=in
前置詞+電車=on
前置詞+飛行機=on

なぜ乗り物によって前置詞が変わるのか?さて、自分が乗っている交通手段をイメージしてみよう。乗り物の「中」にいるのか、乗り物に「囲まれている」のか。乗り物の「上」にいるのか?四方を囲まれているのであれば、"in "をイメージしてください。

移動手段によって前置詞がどのように変化するのか、そして "in "と "on "の違いをイメージしていただけたなら幸いです。お役に立てれば幸いです。ビデオには良い例がたくさんあります。

残りの夏が素晴らしいものになりますように!

レディ・アヤメ
(パトリシア・アヤメ・トムソン)

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