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Question on the subject of prepositions:
If referring to a prose text that is presented with numbered lines (for exam an extract prepared for an exam), would you say:
"In line 3, there is an example of a simile."
or
"On line 3, there is an example of a simile."
First off, why does your question start off with Google? You are not asking Google, we are not Google. We are question.com. If you want a Google answer you should go to them.
This question sounds a lot like the thing about whether when waiting for example to purchase movie tickets or check out in a grocery store whether people say they are standing in line or on line. I don't know where on line comes from but in the US the correct term is "in" line. As far as I'm concerned, the term "on line" has to do with computers.
So I'd choose to answer your question by saying "in line 2."
Hope that helps.
"We say 'standing in line', as in 'in a line', eg. 'part of a line'. ' Waiting FOR you ' is waiting for another person to arrive or accomplish something. So unless you have to walk over and stop on a line in order to wait for your turn, ... you probably are waiting, standing in line. Aug 7, 2010"
Hello Mircat, thanks very much for your helpful answer. And my apologies to Question.com in general; I'm not sure how the 'google' slipped in - I actually thought it was an automatic inclusion, but that must have been down too much haste on my part.
Any other views from members outside of the US?