Please keep the plate in the table vs Please keep the plate on the table

The phrase 'please keep the plate on the table' is correct, while 'please keep the plate in the table' is incorrect. The preposition 'on' is used to indicate the surface where something is placed, while 'in' is used to show containment within something.

Last updated: March 22, 2024

Please keep the plate in the table

This phrase is incorrect in English. The preposition 'in' is used to show containment within something, not for placing objects on a surface like a table.

The correct preposition to use when asking someone to place an object on a table is 'on.'

Show examples from the web [+]

I keep the plate in motion, balanced
Grady pounds his bat on the plate in frustration.
For screening dilute test sera and controls 1 in 10 directly on the plate in PBST to give a final volume 100 μl/well.
Place the plate in the developing chamber prepared as specified in point 5.2.2.
Well, please keep the questions short and simple.
And please keep the door locked.
Please keep the line moving, sir.
We'll bring the plates in and shoot the X-rays here.
You can step up to the plate in a quick manner.
The only art I can appreciate is... only that decoration on the plate in restaurants.
As soon as these values are no longer achieved, the plates in question shall be repaired or replaced.
Please keep the noise down, Selma.
Please keep the communications required to ascertain when and how this issue should be dealt with outside of plenary.
Mr Špidla, I ask you, please keep the sense of scale and balance we are used to seeing from you.
So please keep the pressure on me, but do so also in terms of Member States.
Well, the plates are off the table.
"While you have the plate in your hand..."
In accordance with Directive 72/166/EEC, vehicles bearing false or illegal plates are considered to be normally based in the territory of the Member State that issued the plates in question.
dilute test sera and controls 1 in 10 directly on the plate in PBST to give a final volume 100 μl/well.
Now I've got to pick up the plate, walk back to the kitchen, put the plate in the sink. (glass breaking) Pick up the broken pieces.

Alternatives:

please keep the plate on the table
please place the plate on the table
please set the plate on the table
please place the plate on top of the table
please place the plate on the surface of the table

Please keep the plate on the table

This phrase is correct in English and commonly used when asking someone to ensure that a plate remains on the surface of a table.

Use this phrase when instructing someone to maintain the position of an object on the surface of a table.

Examples:

Please keep the plate on the table so it doesn't fall off.
Make sure to keep the plate on the table during dinner.
I asked him to keep the plate on the table while I went to get the drinks.
She always keeps the plate on the table after finishing her meal.
Can you keep the plate on the table until we're ready to serve dessert?

Show examples from the web [+]

The plates on her car are stolen.
Sir, we ran the plates on that Humvee...
I put the plates on your dad's bike.
I flagged the plate on his car.
I got the plate on his Camaro.
Well, please keep the questions short and simple.
And please keep the door locked.
Please keep the line moving, sir.
Now, the plates on the sedan were swiped off of an Escalade which was parked in the City of Industry maybe 19 miles away.
But he still needed a patsy to pin the theft of the plates on.
Guys, I just ran the plates on a blue Sedan reported stolen this morning.
When my parents came over in steerage, they worked themselves sick so there'd be clothes and food and something for the plate on Sunday.
So Beckett says the plates on the S.U.V. came back as stolen.
The plates on the van were stolen from a mall last night.
The plates on the van were stolen from a mall last night.
Please keep the noise down, Selma.
Please keep the communications required to ascertain when and how this issue should be dealt with outside of plenary.
Mr Špidla, I ask you, please keep the sense of scale and balance we are used to seeing from you.
So please keep the pressure on me, but do so also in terms of Member States.
Well, the plates are off the table.

Alternatives:

please place the plate on the table
please set the plate on the table
please place the plate on top of the table
please place the plate on the surface of the table
please ensure the plate stays on the table

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Please keep the plate in the table vs Please keep the plate on the table