Westerners say IN line. Easterners say ON line. What's right?
IN
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ON
Side Score: 2
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Well, I assume you're referring to being on line within a telecommunications context, such as a social media or debating forum site, and if this is so then I would assert that the correct term to use would be, on line such as being ON the telephone or ON a two way radio. My interpretation of being in line refers to being in a queue, conforming with the accepted norms of the society in which you live or in a military parade. Side: ON
Well, I assume you're referring to being on line within a telecommunications context, Hello N: Uhh, no.. In terms of the internet, ON line is the same in the west.. What I'm referring to is, for example, waiting in a queue at a movie theater, left coast people say they're IN line.. East coast people say ON line. excon Side: IN
Well, OK. In that instance I'd consider, in line to be the proper, and more natural term to use. If we stated;- the body of men stood in a line there would be little room for confusion. If however we said;- the body of men stood on a line some people could interpret this as meaning that the men stood on a line which may have been circular or irregular in shape. Or, if we were instructed to, place those items in a line, we should be able to proceed without having to request further clarification. But if the instruction was, place those items on a line we could almost certainly ask, ''where is the line to which you are referring''? Anyway, these slightly modified examples are the reason why I consider in line to be the more natural term to use. Side: ON
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