he was floating in the air vs he was floating on the air

The correct phrase is 'he was floating in the air.' 'In the air' is the appropriate preposition to use when describing someone or something suspended in the atmosphere. 'On the air' is not commonly used in this context.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 147 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"he was floating in the air"

Use 'in the air' when describing someone or something suspended or levitating in the atmosphere.

Examples:

The magician was floating in the air during his performance.
The astronaut felt weightless as he floated in the air inside the spacecraft.
The kite was floating in the air, carried by the wind.
The balloon floated in the air, drifting slowly across the sky.
The fairy was seen floating in the air, surrounded by a soft glow.

Show examples from the web [+]

he was floating in the air
You know, he was floating in the water, might have been his last moments on Earth.
The faeries channeled nature's memories and then he was floating in the air in Sookie's bathroom.
And the bathtub he was floating in?
And the bathtub he was floating in?
They said he was floating on his back in the water.
He was found floating in his dry suit at the top of the shaft.
Even though she was floating in a sea of dickies...
It was floating in midair like as if someone was holding the string.
And then abruptly I realized that he was not holding on at all, that he was floating up there - just as a gas-filled bladder might have floated in the same position.
It was floating in your gin and tonic?
The Marin Frist I know only liked ice if it was floating in a well-chilled vodka negroni.
I felt like I was floating in space, alone in a dark, silent void.
I was floating in the ocean... and it seemed like I'd been shipwrecked or something... but there was no other people.
According to the legend, the lifeless body of John was surrounded by five flames as it was floating in the river.
I don't think Vivian was very pleased that I was floating in her pool.
I felt like I was floating in the sea.
L: When I went down there in Africa for vacation with my husband I discovered lots of Frangipani growing close to the beach where we were and their scent was floating in the air, it was beautiful.
I felt like I was floating in the universe, moving like a snake.
Joe's appendix floating in formaldehyde.
Unfortunately, the shopkeepers kept on raising the price of plastic taking advantage from this adverse furniture of our school was floating in the class-rooms and they got struck to the door.

Alternatives:

he was suspended in the air
he was levitating in the air
he was hovering in the air
he was gliding in the air
he was drifting in the air

This phrase is not commonly used in English. 'On the air' does not convey the same meaning as 'in the air' when describing something suspended in the atmosphere.

"he was floating on the air"

Show examples from the web [+]

he was floating on the air
They said he was floating on his back in the water.
By the time I got there, he looked like he was asleep, just floating on a sea of red and the sandwich next to his head.
You know, he was floating in the water, might have been his last moments on Earth.
The faeries channeled nature's memories and then he was floating in the air in Sookie's bathroom.
And the bathtub he was floating in?
I felt like I was floating on clouds.
That piece of wood she was floating on was massive.
I was floating on a block of ice from Greenland.
Her hair was fl... was floating on the water.
I thought I was floating on air.
And the bathtub he was floating in?
And then abruptly I realized that he was not holding on at all, that he was floating up there - just as a gas-filled bladder might have floated in the same position.
The first time I saw Dorothy since I left for the war, it was like she was floating on air.
Farer in the sea, 200 meters from the seaside, the body of the third victim was floating on the water: a moroccan woman, 24 years old.
2.1.4 PV Elements Floating on Water Surfaces e.g. Uncovered Reservoirs.
I'm just floating on goodness.
It lingered a little, and then quickly shot up into the sky. I felt like I was floating on the surface, like when you dive into a pool, it's that same feeling of weightlessness.
This experience shook me so strongly that I thought I was floating on air while I walked.Shortly after this, during a 5-day fast, I started to pray in a strange new language which was unknown to me.
And I remember feeling like I was floating.
But I... was floating above the car.

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

he was floating in the air vs he was floating on the air