By vs. On

Attribute	By	On
Definition	Indicates the person or thing performing an action	Indicates the time when something happens
Usage	Used to show the agent of an action	Used to show the time or date of an event
Examples	By John, By the window	On Monday, On the table

Definition

By and on are two prepositions in the English language that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and uses. By is typically used to indicate the agent performing an action or the means by which something is done. On, on the other hand, is used to indicate position or location.

Usage

By is commonly used to show the person or thing that performs an action. For example, "The book was written by the author." In this sentence, by indicates who wrote the book. On, on the other hand, is used to show position or location. For example, "The book is on the table." In this sentence, on indicates where the book is located.

Means vs. Location

One of the key differences between by and on is that by is used to indicate the means by which something is done, while on is used to indicate location. For example, "She traveled by train" indicates the means of transportation, while "She sat on the train" indicates the location where she was seated.

Agent vs. Surface

Another distinction between by and on is that by is used to indicate the agent performing an action, while on is used to indicate the surface or object that something is resting on. For example, "The painting was created by the artist" indicates who created the painting, while "The painting is on the wall" indicates where the painting is located.

Time vs. Position

By can also be used to indicate time or deadline, such as "I will finish the project by Friday." On, however, is used to indicate position or location, such as "The book is on the shelf." In this case, on is used to show where the book is located.

Instrumentality vs. Surface

By is often used to indicate the instrument or tool used to perform an action, such as "He fixed the car by using a wrench." On, on the other hand, is used to indicate the surface or object that something is resting on, such as "The cup is on the table."

Conclusion

In conclusion, while by and on are both prepositions in the English language, they have distinct meanings and uses. By is typically used to indicate the agent performing an action or the means by which something is done, while on is used to indicate position or location. Understanding the differences between these two prepositions can help improve your writing and communication skills.