on the shelf vs in the shelf

The correct phrase is 'on the shelf.' 'In the shelf' is not a common or correct phrase in English. 'On the shelf' is used to indicate that something is placed on a shelf, while 'in the shelf' would imply that something is inside the shelf itself, which is not a typical expression.

Last updated: April 13, 2024 • 401 views

on the shelf

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that something is placed on a shelf, typically in a store or at home.

Examples:

The book is on the shelf.
I found the toy on the shelf in the store.
She placed the vase on the shelf in the living room.
The shoes are on the shelf in the closet.
The jar is on the shelf in the kitchen.

Show examples from the web [+]

5 days ago ... on the shelf meaning: 1. not noticed or not used: 2. If someone, usually a woman, is on the shelf, she is not married…. Learn more.
not being in a state of use, activity, or employment The idea for a fundraiser has been on the shelf for months. Synonyms & Similar Words. Relevance.
When someone in the mafia is put “on the shelf” it means the member has been banished from the organization rather than be murdered for violating major ...
1. Inactive, not employed, as in With mandatory retirement at 65, many useful employees are put on the shelf. [Second half of 1500s].

in the shelf

This phrase is not correct in English. It is not commonly used and does not convey the intended meaning.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 1, 2016 ... The phrase in the shelf would be incorrect, whereas on the shelf is the right way of saying it. The reason being that on refers to surfaces, ...
The shelf is considered a means of security with the chorus line, "The shelf in the room has been so true/I can hide in the shelf in the room.
If the three-year window draws close to expiring and the company hasn't sold all of the securities in the shelf offering, it can file replacement ...
Across the continental shelf of the eastern Inland Sea of Japan and the adjacent Pacific Ocean, the Calanus sinicus population is centred in the shelf waters ...
Apr 10, 2019 ... In contrast, the Kuroshio-induced upwelling in the shelf and slope region can propagate westward as baroclinic coastal-trapped waves along the ...

Alternatives:

in the cupboard
in the cabinet
in the drawer
in the storage unit
inside the shelf

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