"I was taking a bus" vs "I was on a bus"

Question

"I was taking a bus" vs "I was on a bus"

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'I was on a bus' indicates that you were physically present inside a bus at a certain point in time. 'I was taking a bus' suggests that you were using a bus as a mode of transportation to get from one place to another.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

This phrase is used to describe the action of using a bus as a means of transportation to travel from one place to another.

Examples:

I was taking a bus to work every day.
She was taking a bus to visit her friend.
He was taking a bus to get to the airport.
We were taking a bus to the city center.
They were taking a bus to the beach.

Alternatives:

I was riding a bus
I was traveling by bus
I was on a bus
I was commuting by bus
I was a passenger on a bus

This phrase is used to describe the location of someone inside a bus at a specific time.

Examples:

I was on a bus when I received the phone call.
She fell asleep while she was on the bus.
He always reads a book when he is on the bus.
We were on the bus for two hours.
The kids were on the bus on their way to school.

Alternatives:

I was riding a bus
I was traveling by bus
I was sitting on a bus
I was commuting on a bus
I was a passenger on a bus

Answer 1

I was taking a bus

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate using a bus as a mode of transportation.

Answer 2

I was on a bus

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate being physically present inside a bus.

"I was taking a bus" vs "I was on a bus"

I was taking a bus

I was on a bus

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