on the court vs in the court

The phrases 'on the court' and 'in the court' are correct but have different meanings and are not interchangeable. 'On the court' is used to refer to being physically present on a sports court, while 'in the court' is used to refer to being inside a legal court or courtroom.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 25, 2024 • 241 views

on the court

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

The phrase 'on the court' is used to indicate being physically present on a sports court or field, typically in the context of sports activities.

Examples:

The basketball players are on the court.
She's a great player on the tennis court.
The coach is giving instructions on the court.

Show examples from the web [+]

He a good player on the court.
Again, dyslexic players will not be allowed on the court.
Just a couple of guys hanging out on the court.
My Nadia, so magnificent on the court.
And Lucrezia Borgia, shall have as little influence on the court of Naples.
Unless she takes the spot on the court.
They're definitely not on the court, Cotton.
I always wanted to meet you on the court.
Just so he could get back on the court.
No hard shoes on the court.
Take the seat on the court where you belong.
See you on the court, Scott.
That was Michael's nickname on the court.
One day, he'll defeat me on the court.
He wasn't the only one on the court.
They all had structural heart problems and collapsed and died right there on the court.
Bobby Joe Hill was one of the most prominent players on the court.
The teams will now take their places on the court.
Supply and Endsorgung there on the court at the main station...
All of a sudden, a player on the court stops stretching.

Alternatives:

on the field
on the pitch
on the playing surface
on the basketball court

in the court

This phrase is correct but has a different meaning from 'on the court'. It is commonly used in the context of legal proceedings.

The phrase 'in the court' is used to indicate being inside a legal court or courtroom, typically in the context of legal proceedings or trials.

Examples:

The case is being heard in the court.
The lawyers are presenting their arguments in the court.
The judge is presiding in the court.

Show examples from the web [+]

He lived in the court of his relative, Frederick III.
I would have lasted two seconds in the court of the Sun King.
And her servant, Antonio Burel, is in the court jail.
We're all equal in the court of Camelot.
We see us in the court, boy.
Other testimonies in the court mean zero to me.
Acquittal is one goal but winning in the court of public opinion...
There's several of them in the court.
The reforms created political factions in the court.
There were 35 judges in the court.
Madai Tiruvengadunathar, an official in the court of the Madurai Nayak, wrote Meynanavilakkam on the Advaita Vedanta.
Going to Babylon would have meant protection and security, perhaps a place in the court of Nebuchadnezzar.
Detective Benson is not in the court today.
That won't fly in the court of law, Remi.
She spent the rest of her life in the court of her brother Stefan in Belgrade or in the court of her sister Jelena in Herceg Novi.
Reference the voice comparison in the court report.
Istvan has spent very little time in the court.
He thought you could destroy Wennerström... in the court of public opinion.
Well, I'm not interested in the court.
He's hinting that the prince in the court will avenge his ill-treatment.

Alternatives:

in the courtroom
inside the court
within the court
within the courtroom

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