Readers and writers everywhere can find the difference between “on the platform” and “in the platform” confusing. This helpful guide will explain which is the correct version – “on the platform” or “in the platform”, using sentences examples to make this concept easier to grasp.
Is It “On The Platform” Or “In The Platform”?
If the context of the sentence relates to software, both “on the platform” and “in the platform” are correct. The phrase “in the platform” refers to actions implemented by the developer of the platform, whilst the phrase “on the platform” refers to actions done by users of the platform.
Indeed, “on the platform” suggests that the platform is operating and something occurs on it. “In the platform” refers to changing something in the structure of the platform, as a developer would do,
If referring to a physical platform, such as a platform at a train station, the preposition “on” is almost always used, unless in rare cases when the platform contains a hollow interior space.
Instead of using “on the platform” or “in the platform” confusion could be avoided by opting to use the phrase “using the platform” instead.
What Does “In The Platform” Mean?
The phrase “in the platform” means when an individual is operating inside a particular platform and has the ability to change particular things, such as settings or programs.
If referring to the platform in the context of a place, the phrase “in the platform” would usually not make sense in the sentence, because a physical location of a platform is a surface. The prepositions “on” or “at” should be usually be used when referring to a location of a platform. However, in rare cases, the preposition “in” could be used if the platform contains some kind of hollow space inside it.
To elevate your understanding of the phrase “in the platform” check out the following useful sentence examples:
- I spent yesterday in the platform altering the company profile.
- I found it quite difficult to change the settings in the platform.
- I’ve used the most recent technology in the platform to update all of the features to better versions.
What Does “On The Platform” Mean?
The phrase “on the platform” should be used in the context of a sentence about software when an individual is actually using the platform. “On the platform can also be used when referring to a physical location of a platform, which could be a train station, for example.
To help you to understand the meaning of the phrase “on the platform” check out these simple sentence examples below:
- Jane was on the marketing platform yesterday looking at the most recent improvements.
- Tom admired the latest features on the company platform.
- Julie was unhappy with the recent figures on the platform.
Are “In The Platform” And “On The Platform” Interchangeable?
The phrases “in the platform” and “on the platform” are not interchangeable despite their similarity.
If the sentence refers to the word “platform” in terms of software, the “phrase “in the platform”, suggesting technical changes done to the structure or system of a platform, is still very rare.
If referring to a platform as a physical place, the phrase “in the platform” is almost never used and the phrase “on the platform is almost always correct.
Is “In The Platform” Or “On The Platform” Used The Most?
The phrase “on the platform” has been used in sentences far more than the phrase “in the platform”.
This graph from Google Ngram Viewer illustrates the usage of the phrases “in the platform” and “on the platform in the time period 1800 to 2019. The line in red represents the usage of “on the platform” and the line in blue represents the use of “in the platform”.
As you can see from viewing the graph, the phrase “on the platform” is the phrase used the most.
Indeed, over the years, the usage of “on the platform” has always been far greater than “in the platform”.
When Should I Use “At The Platform”?
The preposition “at” should be used when you are referring to a place. Therefore, the phrase “at the platform” should be used in a sentence when making reference to a platform as a place, such as a platform in a train station.
To help you to understand how to use the phrase “at the platform”, note the following helpful sentence examples using the phrase “at the platform”:
- I am waiting at the platform to board the train with Luke.
- Harry decided to ring his Dad at the platform to find out how long the train delay would be.
- Mark waited at the platform with three suitcases and a rucksack.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
