On the bus, or in the bus. Selective Focus Photography of Yellow School Bus Scale Model
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“On The Bus” or “In The Bus”: An Easy Guide With Examples

Byletslearnenglishtogether.com

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Learning English prepositions like on, in, at, and of can be tricky. One challenging pair is “on” versus “in”. This post explains when to use each with vehicles, starting with buses.

is it in the bus or on the bus

Summary

“On the bus” is used to mean that people are riding the bus whereas “in the bus” is used to mean that people are physically inside the bus

What’s the Difference?

The main difference between “on” and “in” is about containment. “On” means being supported from outside without full enclosure. “In” describes being surrounded by something.

  • We use “on” for surfaces like chairs that we don’t enter.
  • We use “in” for enclosed spaces we can enter, like rooms.

For example:

  • If you are on a table, you are not inside the table but on top of it.
  • If you are in a room, you are fully inside the room surrounded by the walls.

So “on” is outside and “in” is fully enclosed inside. That’s the main way to tell them apart.

Applying to Buses

Let’s apply this to saying “on the bus” versus “in the bus”:

When To Say “On The Bus”

If you say “on the bus,” it means you are on top of the bus or riding in it. Most of the time, people use, “on the bus” when talking about taking a trip inside the vehicle.

Examples:

  • I waited on the bus for the driver to come.
  • The kids were playing and running around on the bus during our field trip.
  • We all walked together to get on the bus and go to the museum.

In these examples, “on the bus” shows you are riding or sitting on top of the bus.

When To Say “In The Bus”

If you say “in the bus,” it means you are completely inside the closed part where people sit. “In the bus” shows you are in the inside room of the bus.

Examples:

  • I found an empty seat in the bus and sat down comfortably.
  • The tour guide lady talked to us in the bus while we drove to our destination.
  • It was very hot and sticky in the bus because the air conditioning was not working well.
  • Be careful not to put your head out the window when you ride in the bus.

In these examples, “in the bus” tells that you are inside the closed areas of the bus, not on top or outside of it.

Other Ways to Use “On” and “In”

To summarize, here are some additional guidelines on using “on” versus “in”:

  • We take the bus, get on the bus, get off the bus. and we ride on the bus.
  • Packages and luggage go in the bus storage compartments or bins. But they are carried on the bus.

Here, “in the bus” shows being contained inside the parts of the vehicle.

Additional Guidelines

To summarize:

  • We take/board the bus, and ride on it.
  • Bags go in bins/compartments but are carried on the bus.

Want to learn more about English grammar? Get our Grammar Reference Guide now!

Mastering “On” and “In” with Vehicles

The words “on” and “in” can seem easy. But they have different meanings when talking about vehicles. Knowing when to use each one is important for good English speaking.

Vehicle size also matters. Buses, trains, and planes have a clear inside and outside. But cars are smaller so we always say “in the car.” The whole car is like an inside space.

These guidelines work for boats and RVs too. “On” is used if people are on the outside deck area. “In” is used if they are inside rooms/cabins. Even small boats count the whole thing as an “inside space” so we say “in the boat.”

Sometimes there can be exceptions. Unique vehicle designs can cause confusion. Focus on the size of the vehicle and whether the person is riding in it. Riding a smaller vehicle usually uses “in,” and larger ones tend to use “on”.

Applying to Other Vehicles

These guidelines also apply to transports like:

  • We sit on trains and airplanes but in cars.
  • “On” for boats/RVs where people sit outside, “in” for rowboats.
  • Exceptions consider vehicle type, not just size.

“Getting in” vs “getting on”

Verbs like “get on/in” and “come on/in” need the right preposition too. To enter a vehicle, we say “get on” for buses, trains, and planes. But “get in” for cars. And when coming to a vehicle, “come on” is used for the outside. “Come in” is for the inside.

It takes practice but thinking about where the person is helps. English learners can master the difference between “on the bus” and “in the bus.” They can then use what they learn with any kind of transportation.

Using Prepositional Verbs

Verbs combined with prepositions require the right one too. For example:

  • Get on a bus/train but get in a car when entering vehicles.
  • Come on the bus after school, but come in from recess.

I hope these simple examples help understand “on” versus “in” with different vehicles. Keep practicing to improve your English communication skills. Let me know if any part needs more explanation.

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