on
Resting against surface
In narrowly edges out on among the most-used prepositions, but the two short words share many traits.
Both provide information about where, along with many extended uses in which they give other kinds of information.
The where of on suggest a surface, often horizontal, where something can rest.
On can introduce a subject (a book on birds), a location (a house on the river), a situation or state (a house on fire), means or agency (talking on the phone), and several other relationships.
On is also the opposite of off, with objects such as a light switch or faucet.
On the summit of
- restingIn a state of stillness
- mountedFixed in position
- placedPut somewhere specific
- setArrange in position
sitting · lying · perched · positioned · affixed · attached · surface · top
In active function
- runningSwift foot travel
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- activeIn operation now
- functioningWorking as intended
operating · going · live · enabled · activated · powered · started · up
Warning or watchfulness
- awakeNot in slumber
- livelyAnimated and energetic
- energeticHaving much vigor
- animatedFull of life, or drawn moving
vibrant · dynamic · spirited · vivacious · bustling · perky · sparkling · effervescent
Concerning or approximately
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- regardingOn the subject of
- discussingTalking through a topic
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
addressing · touching · exploring · focused · centered · dealing · relating · pertaining
Circuit-breaking toggle device
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- currentDirected flow of charge
- connectedJoined to another
wired · plugged · charged · live · hot · energized · flowing · conducting
Gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- airwavesRadio frequency spectrum
- liveTo exist or dwell
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
television · airing · transmission · simulcast · livestream · recording · tape · camera
atop
On the summit of
set · sitting · lying · perched · positioned · affixed · attached · surface · top · table
working
In active function
- runningSwift foot travel
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- activeIn operation now
functioning · operating · going · live · enabled · activated · powered · started · up · engaged
alert
Warning or watchfulness
animated · vibrant · dynamic · spirited · vivacious · bustling · perky · sparkling · effervescent · going
about
Concerning or approximately
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- regardingOn the subject of
- discussingTalking through a topic
covering · addressing · touching · exploring · focused · centered · dealing · relating · pertaining · subject
across
From side to side
above · against · toward · through · about · around · throughout · amid · among · within
switch
Circuit-breaking toggle device
connected · wired · plugged · charged · live · hot · energized · flowing · conducting · load
air
Gaseous envelope surrounding Earth
radio · television · airing · transmission · simulcast · livestream · recording · tape · camera · mic
booked
Arranged in advance
calendar · docket · lineup · timetable · schedule · programmed · upcoming · set · arranged · confirmed
betrothed
Engaged to marry