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In the street vs on the street

 

Grammar questions– conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax, etc.


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  #1
Old November 07, 2009, 03:23 AM
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Exclamation In the street vs on the street

Is there a difference?
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  #2
Old November 07, 2009, 03:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
Is there a difference?
Yes, there can be, depending on context.

There is a shop in that street which sells newspapers.
There is a shop on that street which sells newspapers.

But 'on the street' has the suggestion of poverty, or rough living, where you have to be 'streetwise'.

He has lost his job, and is now on the street.
(he has nowhere to live)
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  #3
Old November 07, 2009, 03:32 AM
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And he fell on the street, I think

And the cars, I guess they are on the street
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  #4
Old November 07, 2009, 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
And he fell on the street, I think

And the cars, I guess they are on the street
Yes, but you must be careful not to use 'on the street' in the wrong context. He was in the street means he was standing there in that place. He was on the street could mean he was standing there in that place, or it could mean he was destitute (indigente).
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  #5
Old November 07, 2009, 03:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
Yes, but you must be careful not to use 'on the street' in the wrong context. He was in the street means he was standing there in that place. He was on the street could mean he was standing there in that place, or it could mean he was destitute (indigente).
But the cars are on the street, or can they be in the street, as well?
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  #6
Old November 07, 2009, 03:49 AM
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Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
But the cars are on the street, or can they be in the street, as well?
Hmmm. Yes. I think so. If there is a difference, it is subtle.
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  #7
Old November 07, 2009, 03:50 AM
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Thanks, Perikles. Anyway, I'd say "on" in this case.
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  #8
Old November 07, 2009, 07:53 AM
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The cars in the street and the cars on the street mean exactly the same thing.

Using on the street, in the idiomatic way mentioned by Perikles, is conveyed by context. Otherwise, people in the street or people on the street have the same meaning.
The people on the street are dressed warmly today.
The people in the street are dressed warmly today.

But:
The people on the street can't afford to dress warmly.
Here we are using the turn of phrase that Perikles expressed.
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  #9
Old November 07, 2009, 09:46 AM
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Thanks
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  #10
Old November 07, 2009, 10:48 PM
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In addition (if that.. )

'On the street' tends to be more specifically on that street concretely. These people on this street at this moment (i.e. those specific people..). (Though in fact it can also be used as a more general statement such as in Rusty's example.. )

Whereas 'In the street' tends to pertain to a more general statement imho.

I am reminded of the song 'Dancing in the street'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaZCZnmdmbA
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Last edited by EmpanadaRica; November 07, 2009 at 11:02 PM.
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  #11
Old November 08, 2009, 12:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EmpanadaRica View Post
In addition (if that.. )

'On the street' tends to be more specifically on that street concretely. These people on this street at this moment (i.e. those specific people..). (Though in fact it can also be used as a more general statement such as in Rusty's example.. )

Whereas 'In the street' tends to pertain to a more general statement imho.

I am reminded of the song 'Dancing in the street'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaZCZnmdmbA
imho?
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  #12
Old November 08, 2009, 03:33 AM
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Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
imho?
= In My Honest Opinion. This is internet forum language for people too lazy to type. (la gente perezosa?)
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  #13
Old November 08, 2009, 03:40 AM
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Sí, gente perezosa . Gracias, Perikles, no conozco esas abreviaturas
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  #14
Old November 08, 2009, 06:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
= In My Honest Opinion. This is internet forum language for people too lazy to type. (la gente perezosa?)
Are you calling me lazy..??

Also used as 'In my humble opinion' .
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/imho

Sorry Irma I'll try to refrain from abbreviations as much as possible.
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  #15
Old November 08, 2009, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EmpanadaRica View Post
Are you calling me lazy..??
YES
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  #16
Old November 08, 2009, 09:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
YES
I'm so glad we cleared that up...
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  #17
Old November 08, 2009, 01:10 PM
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I agree with you both
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