Which is right: 'on the meadow' or 'in the meadow'?

Short answer: Most of the time we say 'in the meadow' when someone or something is among the grass or flowers. Sometimes we say 'on the meadow' when we mean being on top of the ground or talking about an event that happened there.

Step 1: Think 'inside' or 'on top'?

Imagine a big soft carpet of grass. If you are surrounded by grass and flowers, you are 'in' it. If you are standing on the surface or talking about an activity that uses that surface, you might say 'on'.

Step 2: Easy rules

• Use 'in the meadow' when someone or something is among the grass or flowers: they are inside the meadow. Example: 'The rabbit is in the meadow.'
• Use 'on the meadow' sometimes when you mean on the surface or for events: 'We had a picnic on the meadow.' This is less common, but it is used.
• When you are not sure, use 'in the meadow'—it is the safer choice for most sentences.

Simple examples

• 'The children are playing in the meadow.' (they are among the grass)
• 'There was a concert on the meadow.' (the event took place on the meadow's ground)
• 'A cow is standing in the meadow.' (the cow is among the grass)

Quick practice (choose 'in' or 'on')

1. The butterfly landed ___ the meadow.
2. We laid our blanket ___ the meadow for a picnic.
3. There are lots of flowers ___ the meadow.

Answers

1. 'in' — The butterfly is among the grass and flowers: 'The butterfly landed in the meadow.'
2. 'on' — We put the blanket on the surface: 'We laid our blanket on the meadow for a picnic.' (You could also hear 'in the meadow' here, but 'on the meadow' is common for a picnic.)
3. 'in' — The flowers are inside the meadow: 'There are lots of flowers in the meadow.'

Good job! Try making your own sentences with 'in the meadow' and 'on the meadow' to practice.