Difference in meaning

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Difference in meaning
Message de clarou11 posté le 04-01-2010 à 15:25:12 (S | E | F)
Hello,

Would you be so kind as to explain to me the difference in meaning between these two sentences :

He fell onto the floor.
He fell on the floor.

Which of the sentences is correct ?
May be both are correct.
Do they really differ in meaning ?

I thank you for your help.

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Réponse: Difference in meaning de ndege, postée le 04-01-2010 à 17:41:39 (S | E)
Hello,

Both are correct.
Onto is used with verbs of movement. On can be used with verbs showing or not showing movement.
I don't think there is any difference. Let's wait for the expertise of a native speaker or a teacher...

Bye,
Ndege.

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Réponse: Difference in meaning de traviskidd, postée le 05-01-2010 à 05:10:13 (S | E)
Hello.

Technically, "onto" signifies movement (from "not on" to "on"), whereas "on" signifies location or position. However, in most contexts one can replace "onto" with "on" (but not vice versa) with no difference in meaning, provided no ambiguity results.

For example, "He fell on the floor" is not ambiguous, whereas "He walked on the bridge" is (since "onto" would be invalid if he was already on the bridge).

See you.

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