About vs. On — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 16, 2024
"About" indicates topics or vicinity, e.g., "talking about the weather," while "on" refers to physical contact or subjects, e.g., "book on the table."
Difference Between About and On
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"About" is commonly used to discuss a broad topic or theme, suggesting a conversation's subject matter or an area of focus. For example, when someone says they are writing a paper about climate change, "about" signifies the general subject of their writing. On the other hand, "on" is often used to denote physical contact or position, typically implying that something is atop a surface or in a specific location. For instance, when we say a vase is on the table, "on" indicates the vase's direct physical relationship with the table.
"About" can also imply a sense of approximation or nearness in terms of quantity or time, such as saying, "There are about 30 people in the room," which suggests an estimated count. Whereas "on" can signify engagement or connection with a particular subject or activity, especially in digital contexts. For example, "on social media" means engaging with platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
"About" is versatile and can denote movement around a particular area or vicinity, as in "walking about the park," which implies wandering within the park area without a specific destination. On the other hand, "on" can also indicate a state of operation or function, as in "the light is on," signifying that the light is functioning or activated.
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Denotes topic, vicinity, or approximation.
Indicates physical contact, position, or engagement.
Example Context
Discussing a theme, "about climate change."
Physical placement, "book on the table."
ADVERTISEMENT
Approximation
Used for approximations, "about 30 people."
Not typically used for approximations.
Digital Context
Less common in digital contexts.
Common in digital contexts, "on Facebook."
Movement
Implies movement around an area, "walking about the park."
Seldom implies movement, focuses on specific positioning.
Compare with Definitions
About
Pertaining to a topic.
The discussion about renewable energy was enlightening.
On
Scheduled for.
The meeting is on Tuesday.
About
Circling or surrounding.
The fence about the garden keeps rabbits out.
On
Positioned atop and in contact with.
The book is on the table.
About
In various directions within a location.
She looked about the room for her keys.
On
Engaged in using a device or service.
She is on the computer.
About
Near in place or time.
We'll leave about noon.
On
Indicating a state of operation.
The air conditioning is on.
About
Approximately or nearly.
There were about 50 guests at the party.
On
Regarding a specific subject.
He's working on a new project.
About
On the subject of; concerning
It's all about having fun
I was thinking about you
A book about ancient Greece
On
Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with
The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.
About
Used to indicate movement within a particular area
She looked about the room
On
Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position
A picture on the wall.
A rash on my back.
About
Used to express location in a particular place
Rugs were strewn about the hall
He produced a knife from somewhere about his person
On
Used to indicate location at or along
The pasture on the south side of the river.
A house on the highway.
About
Used to indicate movement within an area
Men were floundering about
Finding my way about
On
Used to indicate proximity
A town on the border.
About
Used to express location in a particular place
There was a lot of flu about
On
Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from
Beads on a string.
About
(used with a number or quantity) approximately
He's about 35
Reduced by about 5 per cent
On
Used to indicate figurative or abstract position
On the young side, but experienced.
On her third beer.
Stopped on chapter two.
About
Approximately; nearly
The interview lasted about an hour.
On
Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto
Jumped on the table.
The march on Washington.
About
Almost
The job is about done.
On
Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto
Going on six o'clock.
Came on the answer by accident.
About
To a reversed position or direction
Turn about and walk away slowly.
On
Used to indicate occurrence at a given time
On July third.
Every hour on the hour.
About
In no particular direction
Wandering about with no place to go.
On
Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance
On entering the room, she saw him.
About
All around; on every side
Let's look about for help.
On
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action
The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
About
In the area or vicinity; near
Spoke to a few spectators standing about.
On
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action
Have pity on them.
About
In succession; one after another
Turn about is fair play.
On
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it
An attack on the fortress.
About
On the verge of doing something; presently going to do something. Used with the infinitive
The chorus is about to sing.
On
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought
Gazed on the vista.
Meditated on his actions.
About
Usage Problem Used to show determination or intention in negative constructions with an infinitive
I am not about to concede the point.
On
Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action
Cut his foot on the broken glass.
Talked on the telephone.
About
On all sides of; surrounding
I found an English garden all about me.
On
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely
Went on a strict diet.
About
In the vicinity of; around
Explored the rivers and streams about the estate.
On
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness
High on dope.
About
Almost the same as; close to; near.
On
Used to indicate a source or basis
"We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
About
In reference to; relating to; concerned with
A book about snakes.
On
Used to indicate a source of power or energy
The car runs on methane.
About
In the act or process of
While you're about it, please clean your room.
On
Used to indicate the state or process of
On leave.
On fire.
On the way.
About
In the possession or innate character of
Keep your wits about you.
On
Used to indicate the purpose of
Travel on business.
About
Moving here and there; astir
The patient is up and about.
On
Used to indicate a means of conveyance
Ride on a train.
About
Being in evidence or existence
Rumors are about concerning his resignation.
On
Used to indicate availability by means of
Beer on tap.
A physician on call.
About
In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
The snake was coiled about his ankle.
On
Used to indicate belonging to
A nurse on the hospital staff.
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Rubbish was strewn about the place.
The children were running about the room.
He was well known about town.
On
Used to indicate addition or repetition
Heaped error on error.
About
Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.
On
Concerning; about
A book on astronomy.
About
(with 'to' and verb infinitive) See about to.
On
Concerning and to the disadvantage of
We have some evidence on him.
About
On the point or verge of.
On
(Informal) In one's possession; with
I haven't a cent on me.
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
He talked a lot about his childhood.
We must do something about this problem.
On
At the expense of; compliments of
Drinks on the house.
About
Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.
To be about one's business
On
In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something
Put the coffee on.
About
Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
I can't find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
John's in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
On
In or into a position of being attached to or covering something
Put your clothes on.
About
On one's person; nearby the person.
I had no weapon about me but a stick.
On
In the direction of something
He looked on while the ship docked.
About
(figurative) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in the possession of; under the control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.
He has his wits about him.
There was an air of confidence about the woman.
On
Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward
The play moved on to the next city.
About
On all sides; around.
I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
On
At or to a more distant point in time or space
I'll do it later on.
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
Bits of old machinery were lying about.
On
Toward or to a different state or condition
Let's move on to another subject.
About
From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
Walking about;
Rushing about;
Jumping about;
Thrashing about
On
In a continuous course
He worked on quietly.
About
Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
Messing about;
Fooling about;
Loafing about
On
In or into performance or operation
Turn on the radio.
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
It's about as cold as it was last winter.
He owes me about three hundred dollars.
Dinner's about ready.
I was so scared, I about fainted.
On
In progress or action; in a state of activity
The show must go on.
About
Near; in the vicinity.
On
In or at the present position or condition
Stay on.
Hang on.
About
To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view.
To face about;
To turn oneself about
On
In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon
There is a party on tonight.
About
(nautical) To the opposite tack: see go about.
We went about and headed offshore.
On
Being in operation
The television is on.
About
In succession; one after another; in the course of events.
On
Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role
You're on in five minutes!.
About
(archaic) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.
A mile about, and a third of a mile across
On
Under or behaving as if under observation
A minister is always on.
About
Moving around; astir.
Out and about;
Up and about
After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
On
(Informal) Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy
The goalie is really on.
About
In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
On
Planned; intended
We have nothing much on for this weekend.
About
Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
Watch out, there's a thief about.
On
Happening; taking place
The parade is on.
About
Around; all round; on every side of.
On
(Baseball) Having reached base safely; on base
Two runners are on.
About
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
On
In the state of being active, functioning or operating.
All the lights are on, so they must be home.
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
Roving still about the world.
On
Performing according to schedule; taking place.
Are we still on for tonight?
Is the show still on?
We had to ration our food because there was a war on.
That TV programme that you wanted to watch is on now.
About
Near; not far from; - determining approximately time, size, quantity.
He went out about the third hour.
On
Fitted; covering; being worn.
Your feet will soon warm up once your socks are on.
I was trying to drink out of the bottle while the top was still on!
About
In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business.
On
(postpositive) Of a stated part of something, oriented towards the viewer or other specified direction.
The photograph shows the UFO side on.
Edge on, side on, end on, face on
About
On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
On
Acceptable, appropriate.
You can't do that; it's just not on.
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
She must have her way about Sarah.
On
(informal) Destined, normally in the context of a challenge being accepted; involved, doomed.
"Five bucks says the Cavs win tonight." ―"You're on!"
Mike just threw coffee onto Paul's lap. It's on now.
About
On all sides; around.
'Tis time to look about.
On
Having reached a base as a runner and being positioned there, awaiting further action from a subsequent batter.
About
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
On
(cricket) Within the half of the field on the same side as the batsman's legs; the left side for a right-handed batsman.
The captain moved two fielders to the on side.
Ponsonby-Smythe hit a thumping on drive.
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house.
On
Acting in character.
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; - also of quantity, number, time.
On
(euphemistic) Menstruating.
About
To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
On
To an operating state.
Turn the television on
About
On the move;
Up and about
The whole town was astir over the incident
On
So as to cover or be fitted.
The lid wasn't screwed on properly.
Put on your hat and gloves.
About
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct;
Lasted approximately an hour
In just about a minute
He's about 30 years old
I've had about all I can stand
We meet about once a month
Some forty people came
Weighs around a hundred pounds
Roughly $3,000
Holds 3 gallons, more or less
20 or so people were at the party
On
Along, forwards (continuing an action).
Drive on, rock on
About
All around or on all sides;
Dirty clothes lying around (or about)
Let's look about for help
There were trees growing all around
She looked around her
On
In continuation, at length.
And so on
He rambled on and on.
About
In the area or vicinity;
A few spectators standing about
Hanging around
Waited around for the next flight
On
(obsolete in the US) Later.
Ten years on, nothing had changed in the village.
About
To or among many different places or in no particular direction;
Wandering about with no place to go
People were rushing about
News gets around (or about)
Traveled around in Asia
He needs advice from someone who's been around
She sleeps around
On
Of betting odds, denoting a better-than-even chance. See also odds-on.
That horse is twenty-to-one on, so you need to stake twenty pounds just to win one pound.
About
In or to a reversed position or direction;
About face
Brought the ship about
Suddenly she turned around
On
Positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above.
A vase of flowers stood on the table.
Please lie down on the couch.
The parrot was sitting on Jim's shoulder.
About
In rotation or succession;
Turn about is fair play
On
Positioned at or resting against the outer surface of; attached to.
He had a scar on the side of his face.
There is a dirty smudge on this window.
The painting hangs on the wall.
The fruit ripened on the trees.
About
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
On
Expressing figurative placement or attachment.
All of the responsibility is on him.
I put a bet on the winning horse.
On
Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with.
To play on a violin or piano
On
At or in (a certain region or location).
The lighthouse that you can see is on the mainland.
The suspect is thought to still be on the campus.
On
Near; adjacent to; alongside.
The fleet is on the American coast.
Croton-on-Hudson, Rostov-on-Don, Southend-on-Sea
On
Supported by (the specified part of itself).
A table can't stand on two legs.
After resting on his elbows, he stood on his toes, then walked on his heels.
On
So as to impart force to.
Tug on the rope; push hard on the door
On
So as to impact; against.
I stubbed my toe on an old tree stump.
On
Covering.
He wore old shoes on his feet.
On
(with certain modes of transport, especially public transport) Inside (a vehicle) for the purpose of travelling.
On a bus, on a train, on a plane
On
At the date of.
Born on the 4th of July.
On
Some time during the day of.
On Sunday I'm busy. I'll see you on Monday.
Can I see you on a different day?
On
At a given time after the start of something; at.
Smith scored again on twelve minutes, doubling Mudchester Rovers' lead.
On
Dealing with the subject of; about; concerning.
I was reading a book on history.
The city hosted the World Summit on the Information Society
I have no opinion on this subject.
On
(informal) In the possession of.
I haven't got any money on me.
On
Because of, or due to.
To arrest someone on suspicion of bribery
To contact someone on a hunch
On
Upon; at the time of (and often because of).
On Jack's entry, William got up to leave.
On the addition of ammonia, a chemical reaction begins.
On
Paid for by.
The drinks are on me tonight, boys.
The meal is on the house.
I paid for the airfare and meals for my family, but the hotel room was on the company.
On
Indicating a means or medium.
I saw it on television.
Can't you see I'm on the phone?
My favorite shows are on BBC America.
The Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show is on YouTube.
The film was released on DVD.
On
Indicating the target of, or thing affected by, an event or action.
They planned an attack on London.
The soldiers mutinied and turned their guns on their officers.
Her words made a lasting impression on my mind.
What will be the effect on morale?
On
Toward; for; indicating the object of an emotion.
Have pity or compassion on him.
On
Indicating the person experiencing an emotion, cold, thirst, hunger, etc.
On
Indicating a means of subsistence.
They lived on ten dollars a week.
The dog survived three weeks on rainwater.
On
Engaged in or occupied with (an action or activity).
He's on his lunch break.
I'm on nights all this week.
On vacation; on holiday; on the job; on the fiddle
On
Regularly taking (a drug).
You've been on these antidepressants far too long.
He's acting so strangely, I think he must be on something.
On
Under the influence of (a drug).
He's acting crazy because he's on crack right now.
On
(mathematics) Having identical domain and codomain.
A function on
On
(mathematics) Having as domain and V as codomain, for some set V and integer n.
An operator on
On
(mathematics) Generated by.
The free group on four letters
On
In addition to; besides; indicating multiplication or succession in a series.
Heaps on heaps of food
Mischief on mischief; loss on loss
On
Of
On
Indicating dependence or reliance.
I depended on them for assistance.
He will promise on certain conditions.
On
(obsolete) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
On
Serving as a member of.
He is on the jury; I am on the committee.
On
By virtue of; with the pledge of.
He affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honour.
On
To the account or detriment of; denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon.
On us be all the blame.
A curse on him!
Please don't tell on her and get her in trouble.
He turned on her and has been her enemy ever since.
He went all honest on me, making me listen to his confession.
On
(especially when numbers of combatants or competitors are specified) Against; in opposition to.
The fight was three on one, and he never stood a chance.
On
Without.
On
To switch on.
Can you on the light?
On
In the Japanese language, a pronunciation, or reading, of a kanji character that was originally based on the character's pronunciation in Chinese, contrasted with kun.
Most kanji have two kinds of reading, called "on" and "kun".
On
The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
On
At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.
I stood on the bridge at midnight.
On
To or against the surface of; - used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.
On
Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
On
At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
On
In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
On
Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse; based on certain assumptions.
On
At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
On
At the time of; - often conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform; the shop is closed on Sundays.
On
Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
On
At the peril of, or for the safety of.
On
By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
On
In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
On
Of.
Or have we eaten on the insane rootThat takes the reason prisoner?
On
Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey; on the job; on an assignment; on a case; on the alert.
On
In the service of; connected with; a member of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
On
In reference to; about; concerning; as, to think on it; to meditate on it.
They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.
We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage.
On
Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on; the beat goes on.
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
On
Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
On
In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
On
Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
On
In progress; proceeding; ongoing; as, a game is on.
On
In operation or operational;
Left the oven on
The switch is in the on position
On
(of events) planned or scheduled;
The picnic is on, rain or shine
We have nothing on for Friday night
On
Performing or scheduled for duties;
I'm on from five to midnight
Naval personnel on duty in Alaska
Her on-duty hours were 11p.m. to 7 a.m.
On
With a forward motion;
We drove along admiring the view
The horse trotted along at a steady pace
The circus traveled on to the next city
Move along
March on
On
Indicates continuity or persistence or concentration;
His spirit lives on
Shall I read on?
On
In a state required for something to function or be effective;
Turn the lights on
Get a load on
Common Curiosities
Can "about" be used for approximations?
Yes, "about" is often used to suggest an approximation, like "about 20 minutes away."
How is "on" used to show location?
"On" denotes physical contact or positioning atop a surface, such as "keys on the table."
What does "about" signify in a sentence?
"About" can indicate the subject of a conversation or an approximation in terms of time or quantity.
What does it mean when something is "on"?
It can mean that an object is positioned atop another or that a device is functioning, as in "the TV is on."
How do "about" and "on" compare in digital contexts?
"On" is more common in digital contexts, such as "on the internet," whereas "about" is less frequently used this way.
Can "about" indicate movement?
Yes, "about" can imply wandering or moving within an area, like "walking about the city."
How does "on" relate to scheduled events?
"On" is used to specify days or dates for scheduled events, such as "on Friday."
How does "about" function in narrative writing?
"About" sets the theme or topic around which a narrative might revolve.
Is "on" only used for physical contact?
No, "on" can also indicate engagement with a subject or activity, especially in digital or abstract contexts.
What is the difference in approximation between "about" and "on"?
"About" is used for approximations, while "on" typically is not used in this context.
Can "about" and "on" be used interchangeably?
In some contexts they might overlap, but they generally have distinct uses and cannot be universally interchanged.
In what scenarios is "on" preferred over "about"?
"On" is preferred when indicating precise location, engagement, or operation, rather than thematic content.
What role does "about" play in academic writing?
In academic writing, "about" is crucial for specifying the subject of discussion or research.
Can "on" imply immediacy in a way "about" cannot?
Yes, "on" can suggest a more immediate connection or operation, whereas "about" often implies a broader or more approximate relation.
How do "about" and "on" differ in informal vs. formal usage?
Their core distinctions remain in both contexts, but "about" may be used more loosely in informal settings.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Custom vs. Customs
Next Comparison
Unbound vs. BoundAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
