on the computer vs in the computer

The phrases 'on the computer' and 'in the computer' have different meanings and are not directly comparable. 'On the computer' is used to refer to activities or information that are being processed or displayed on the computer screen. 'In the computer' is used to refer to something physically inside the computer, such as components or data stored on the hard drive.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 3000 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to activities or information being processed or displayed on the computer screen.

"on the computer"

Use 'on the computer' when referring to activities like working, browsing, or watching something on the computer screen.

Examples:

I'm working on the computer right now.
She spends a lot of time on the computer.
Can you find that file on the computer?

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Afterwards, you download everything on the computer.
David 14 isn't on the computer.
That kid on the computer is a real trooper.
Tell Zach only one hour on the computer.
Sorry, it's not on the computer.
You design a burn sequence on the computer...
There's no David 14 on the computer.
The discussion is all about images on the computer, data.
Some guy's name came up on the computer.
My nephew looked up the neighbourhood on the computer.
We were hoping that you could do it on the computer.
Lou, I need you to get on the computer.
I heard the boss from kansas city on the computer.
Just a short test you can do on the computer.
Don't ask me what he was doing on the computer.
I looked up "crack baby" on the computer.
I think they make them on the computer.
All I needed was an hour on the computer.
His files are on the computer.
I don't need to be monitored all the time on the computer.

Alternatives:

using the computer
working with the computer
looking at the computer screen

This phrase is correct but is not commonly used to refer to something physically inside the computer, such as components or data stored on the hard drive.

"in the computer"

Use 'in the computer' when referring to physical components or data stored inside the computer.

Examples:

The data is stored in the computer's memory.
There is a problem in the computer's hardware.
The virus is hiding in the computer's system files.

Show examples from the web [+]

Let's see what we can find in the computer.
But you're not in the computer.
So, you start with something in the computer.
I've actually coined a term for that entity in the computer.
Ira put himself in the computer.
It's like a black thing you introduce in the computer.
These are supposed to be in the computer files.
And both times, a can goes missing in the computer.
A hidden code programmed in the computer allowing access to its brain.
Then put the password in the computer.
The girl we saw in the computer.
Something left in the computer to be turned on later.
The coordinates to the outpost are in the computer.
I'll just pop these in the computer and you can be on your way.
My name is Dmitri Malkin. I believe I'm in the computer.
He neglected to enter the code in the computer Just as flight 815 was passing over the island.
OBD system fault code and engine running hours information stored in the computer shall be taken into account.
And so now we had three age increments of Benjamin in the computer.
Ranar has given me orders for you, coded in the computer.
And it doesn't show up in the computer again until 15:12 hours.

Alternatives:

inside the computer
within the computer
on the computer's hard drive

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on the computer vs in the computer

"on the computer"

"in the computer"

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