“In Figure” vs. “On Figure” – Proper Usage Explained

When referring to a “figure” as a graphical element, it would help to know which preposition we can use for it. Does “in figure” or “on figure” work better? This article will have all the answers you need to work that out.

Should I Use “In Figure” Or “On Figure”?

“In figure” is the correct way to use the phrase. We use “in” to refer to a “figure” that we want people to look at (an illustration, graph, or other pieces of data relevant to the text). “In” works the same with “figure” as it does with other graphical items (like “paintings” or “photos.”)

“On figure” is used sometimes, but it’s not the correct version. It’s not common to see, and many people prefer to see “in figure” written because it follows the more traditionally expected rules of the phrase:

• Correct:In figure 3, you will see the results from the experiment.
• Incorrect:On figure 3, you will find what you are looking for.

“In” works best because it asks people to refer “in” the figure. They will find the information they seek “inside” it.

Is It “In Figure” Or “In The Figure”?

We might sometimes use “in the figure,” but it’s less common. That’s because it’s dependent on a particular context.

“In figure” is correct when a number or letter follows “figure” to specify the one that we want people to refer to. “In the figure” is correct when we direct someone’s attention to the figure with a word like “above” or “below.”

“In the figure” generally requires a more specific direction to take place before it’s correct. It works as follows:

• In the figure below, you will find all the things we referenced.
• You might notice that in the figure above, we did not include data relevant to last week.

Whereas “in figure” usually requires a specified number of lettering that helps us identify which one we mean:

• In figure 3, you can see my findings.
• The results from the experiment are shown in figure A.

Examples Of How To Use “In Figure” In A Sentence

Some further examples will help you to understand everything necessary to figure out “In figure.” Once you’ve read through these, you won’t need much help remembering!

1. In figure 3, I would like you to pay attention to the data and what we concluded from it.
2. You will find in the figure below that something isn’t quite right.
3. If you refer to the information in figure 1A, you will see all the relevant results.
4. In figure 5, a graph is shown, which we can use to identify the causes of the issue.
5. If you refer to the data in the figure above, it will help you to determine the root.
6. In figure 1, we made sure to include the results of the experiment that failed.
7. In figure 2, you will find everything you are looking for related to the hypothesis.

“In figure” and “in the figure” are both correct ways to direct someone’s attention toward a graphical figure. These figures usually include information or data that is relevant to the text or paper we are researching.

Is It Most Proper To Use “In The Figure Below” Or “In The Below Figure”?

You may also be interested in learning where we place the directional instruction with “in the figure.”

“In the figure below” is the proper usage because we want to include the word “figure” first. This draws people’s attention to the fact there is a “figure,” and we then include “below” after to direct them to where they can find it.

• Correct: In the figure below, you will find the results of my investigation.
• Incorrect: In the below figure, a graph has been presented to share my findings.

Is It “Figure 1 and 2” Or “Figures 1 and 2”?

Whenever we refer to more than one “figure,” we want to make sure we address it in the plural form.

“Figures 1 and 2” is correct because we want to refer to more than one “figure.” Therefore, “figure” must also become the plural form “figures.” “Figure 1 and 2” is not correct, and we should not use them.

• Correct: Referring to figures 1 and 2, you will find all the necessary information to help you.
• Incorrect: Figure 1 and 2 shows all the information we have recorded over the last sixty days.