on the subway vs at the subway station

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'On the subway' is used when referring to being inside the subway train, while 'at the subway station' is used when talking about being at the station itself.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 2081 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to being inside the subway train.

"on the subway"

Use 'on the subway' when you want to indicate that you are inside the subway train, traveling from one place to another.

Examples:

I read a book while I was on the subway.
She fell asleep on the subway and missed her stop.
We usually listen to music on the subway.
He met his friend on the subway.
They chatted with strangers on the subway.

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I feel like I'm on the subway.
Okay, he goosed you on the subway once, Amanda.
You're not getting on the subway looking like that.
But you can read mine on the subway after you shower.
Just someone on the subway car turned into porcelain and shattered.
She's probably on the subway by now.
Sir, I saw my poster on the subway this morning.
I also met him on the subway - like you.
That story you did on which rodents to avoid on the subway...
Had a couple of these on the subway.
I was on the subway when they called me.
There was a police action on the subway.
Someone thought I was pregnant on the subway the other day.
Maybe you left the file on the subway.
There weren't any seats on the subway.
We have to talk to each other on the subway.
I often wear a surgical mask on the subway.
A guy on the subway just called me a "biggledeeboo".
He said he met on the subway.
You can happen upon an interesting stranger on the subway.

Alternatives:

in the subway
riding the subway
taking the subway
traveling on the subway
commuting on the subway

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to being at the subway station.

"at the subway station"

Use 'at the subway station' when you want to indicate that you are located at the station, waiting for a train or meeting someone.

Examples:

I will meet you at the subway station.
She arrived early at the subway station.
He likes to people-watch at the subway station.
They usually grab a coffee at the subway station.
We often see musicians performing at the subway station.

Show examples from the web [+]

So, Nori Ito had two wallets on him when he was at the subway station.
At the subway station, there was two cops.
They said that he may be at the subway station.
At the subway station?
When the train was coming in at the subway station...
You were drunk and staggering at the subway station.
Natalie called me, said she needed to speak with me about something important, so I met her after work at the subway station.
We can match a partial from the restaurant... to one off the guardrail at the subway station.
According to the officer's report, Renton lost his wallet, had no money, jumped the turnstile at the subway station, got arrested, and his prints have just been on file ever since.
I'll meet you at the subway station.

Alternatives:

in the subway station
waiting at the subway station
standing at the subway station
meeting at the subway station
arriving at the subway station

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on the subway vs at the subway station

"on the subway"

"at the subway station"

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