When you are taking the bus, did you ever think about whether to say in the bus or on the bus?
Even though “in the bus” makes sense since people are inside the vehicle, the more common phrase is “on the bus.”
This is because people can move around on a bus, just like they can on a train or an airplane.
In the Bus or On the Bus: Which is Correct?
Choosing between “in the bus” and “on the bus” generally depends on context. However, “on the bus” is the most widely accepted and used preposition in the context of traveling.
Rules of Prepositions in Travel Contexts
Prepositions are small words that link elements of a sentence together. They can be hard to understand, especially when traveling.
There are a few different ways to use the preposition when talking about transportation.
For example, “on” is often used to talk about bigger vehicles where you can stand up or walk around, like buses, trains, and ships, because it means both riding inside and being a part of a larger journey for everyone.
“In,” however, might indicate a smaller, more personal space, like cars.
- On: Used when one is a passenger of a large transport method (e.g., on the bus, on the train).
- In: Used when referring to being inside small, personal vehicles (e.g., in the car).
Examples of using the correct phrase, and exceptions
The phrase “on the bus” is correct when you’re a passenger traveling by bus. For example:
- She is on the bus, reading her book.
- They prefer to travel on buses rather than by car.
In contrast, “in the bus” is less commonly used but can be correct in certain contexts where the emphasis is on the location rather than the act of traveling. Such as:
- The forgotten umbrella is still in the bus.
Examples of using On the bus in a sentence
“The scenery was beautiful as we traveled on the bus through the countryside.”
“I usually catch up on my reading while I’m on the bus to work.”
“She realized she was on the wrong bus when it turned left instead of right.”
“He was so engrossed in reading while on the bus that he almost missed his stop.”
“While on the bus, I enjoy watching the city pass by through the window.”
“On the bus ride home, I like to reflect on my day.”
“She does her best brainstorming for new ideas while on the bus.”
“I lost track of time chatting with a friend on the bus and missed my station.”
“The children were excitedly discussing their school trip while on the bus.”
“While traveling on the bus, I often use the time to make my to-do list for the day.”
“I listen to podcasts on the bus to pass the time during my commute.”
Examples of using In the bus in a sentence
“He found a seat in the bus and sat down.”
“There were only a few passengers in the bus.“
“She dropped her ticket somewhere in the bus.”
“The temperature in the bus was quite warm.”
“The lights in the bus were too dim to read my book.”
“There is a lot of noise in the bus during peak hours.”
“He found a seat in the bus and sat down.”
“We were stuck in the bus for hours due to heavy traffic.”
“I met a fascinating person in the bus today, we had a great conversation.”
“It’s important to keep your belongings close to you in the bus.”
“He was the last one remaining in the bus after everyone got off.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “in the bus” or “on the bus” for describing location?
“On the bus” is usually the right way to talk about someone who is traveling by bus because it means they are riding or being a passenger. It’s possible for “in the bus” to just mean being inside the vehicle, without meaning to travel.
When can “in the bus” be considered correct?
“In the bus” could be used to stress that the person is contained inside the bus. For example, to say that something is physically inside the bus, one might say that it is “in the bus.”
Does English grammar mandate one phrase over the other?
No, it is more about contextual correctness. However, “on the bus” is conventionally accepted for referring to the act of traveling.
