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on the desk vs in the desk

The phrases 'on the desk' and 'in the desk' have different meanings and are not interchangeable. 'On the desk' is used to indicate that something is physically located on top of the desk, while 'in the desk' is used to show that something is inside the desk.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1934 views

on the desk

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is physically located on top of the desk.

Use 'on the desk' when you want to describe the location of something that is placed on top of the desk.

Examples:

  • The book is on the desk.
  • There is a pen on the desk.
  • Her keys are on the desk.
  • Put it on the desk, Randall, please.
  • I mean, there's no paper on the desk.
  • Leave it on the desk, please.
  • Now I can bring a latte and leave the cup on the desk.
  • The phone's over there on the desk.
  • The timetable is over there on the desk.
  • I found this on the desk in his bedroom.
  • My phone's on the desk over there.
  • Just leave my money on the desk.
  • Memo's in room 2642 on the desk.
  • You don't know what's on the desk.
  • They're on the desk, and this came by messenger.
  • Blueprints for the train factory are on the desk.
  • The package on the desk contains your issued stock.
  • All right, no laptop on the desk...
  • All right, no laptop on the desk...
  • Your photograph is on the desk.
  • Your photograph is on the desk.
  • Keep your hands on the desk, please.
  • There's nothing on the desk.

Alternatives:

  • on top of the desk
  • on the table
  • on the surface of the desk
  • resting on the desk
  • sitting on the desk

in the desk

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is inside the desk.

Use 'in the desk' when you want to describe the location of something that is placed inside the desk.

Examples:

  • The keys are in the desk drawer.
  • She keeps her stationery in the desk.
  • The documents are in the desk.
  • I saw some in the desk over here.
  • Whoever did it knew Morgan and knew the keys to the cabinet were in the desk.
  • Your checkbook is in the desk.
  • I saw the seal in the desk, sir.
  • Lieutenant tao, please putthe car's computer in the desk.
  • There's more in the desk.
  • Now put it in the desk, just like you always do.
  • Take what you need, and put the key back in the desk drawer.
  • There in the desk, is my diary and maps of the camps in the mountains.
  • And it's all in the ledger, which was all in the desk.
  • I'm thinking what if it wasn't "A" who put that book in the desk?
  • In the desk, telephone, even on the paperwork.
  • You will find all the necessary paperwork in the desk drawer.
  • There's a kit in the desk.
  • I think there's a ruler in the desk drawer.
  • Maybe pick up a couple of things I left in the desk.
  • An examination of orders discovered in the desk of Colonel Rall suggests that the garrison we took from the Hessians was much more than a winter camp.
  • The drawer in the desk in my dad's office,
  • Quite frankly that was an open invitation to nick half the stuff in my office. I could fill in the desk and chair and take everything else.
  • Mr. President, sometime between 1880, when the Resolute desk was placed in the Oval Office, and now, one of our presidents found a secret compartment in the desk.

Alternatives:

  • inside the desk
  • within the desk
  • stored in the desk
  • kept in the desk
  • placed inside the desk

Related Comparisons

on the 11th January 2019 vs on 11th January 2019 on your desk vs in your desk in the desk vs at the desk on the desk vs at the desk sitting at the desk vs sitting on the desk on the issue in question vs on the issue

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