Onto something

[Dimandja]

An example: "There are those who say that watching a Bay movie is itself like watching one long chase scene out of context, as Bay whips from one image to the next, but I think Bay is on to something."

When can one use "on to" or "onto"?

 

[SteveGlo]

on to something" is widely used in London in the sense of being on the rught track to finding an answer to a problem and also that there is a degree of cleverness involved.

 

[Dimandja]

Let me correct my question:

Is "on to" equivalent to "onto"?

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> Is "on to" equivalent to "onto"?

I don't think so. Most of the time they are interchangeable, but not always. Consider the following example.

He drove on to the beach.
He drove onto the beach.

I think these two sentences mean two different things.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[CajunCenturion]

There also times where 'onto' simply doesn't make sense.

He went on to say that he wouldn't do it again.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Stella740pl]

"He went on to say..." - isn't it a different "to"?


"...on to the beach..." - Here, "to" is a preposition.

"He went on to say..." - Here, "to" is part of infinitive.

No wonder "onto" wouldn't make sense.

 

[Dimandja]

In the example I gave (OP), which form is best "on to" or "onto"?

 

[CajunCenturion]

Stella740pl - Exactly. Yes, it is a different to. That's why the answer to Dimandja's question, "Is 'on to' equivalent to 'onto'?" is no.

"Is 'on to' equivalent to 'onto'" in the specific context of the original post? I don't know because I am not familiar with the context of the statement, so I'm not really sure what 'something' actually refers to.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Stella740pl]

Dimandja, in your example, I would think, "onto" is better.

 

[Dimandja]

>...I'm not really sure what 'something' actually refers to.

I'll refer you to the whole article: How to make a really great bad action flick

My sentence is in the very last paragraph.

 

[CajunCenturion]

In that situation, I think either is correct.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[SantaMufasa]

Is "on to" equivalent to "onto"?

They are definitely not equivalent or interchangable.

Main Entry: 1on·to
Pronunciation: 'on-(")tü, 'än-
Function: preposition
1 : to a position on
2 : in or into a state of awareness about <put me onto your methods>

John (CC) offered an excellent case (and we only need one case to prove that they are not the same) that illustrates the difference in meanings and usages:

1. He drove on to the beach.
2. He drove onto the beach.

Case 1 meaning: He continued to the beach.
Case 2 meaning: He drove upon the beach.

What cases can anyone offer where the two have the same meanings and where one or the other is not in a state of misuse?


Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)

http://www.dasages.com

Do you use Oracle and live or work in Utah, USA?
Then click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips.

 

[Dimandja]

Going back to the original post (OP), I have two opinions so far:

1. "on to" or "onto" is correct in that context.
2. Only "onto" should be correct in that context.

Any other opinion?

 

[hotfusion]

I believe the difference between "on to" and "onto" has now been well demonstrated, but what are your thoughts about "in to" and "into"?

Initially the situation would seem similar and therefore worthy of discussion in this thread, but to me things seem much less clear-cut when I attempt to examine examples.
Thoughts anyone?

Regards, Andy.
**************************************
My pathetic attempts at learning HTML can be laughed at here:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/index.htm

 

[Dimandja]

>I believe the difference between "on to" and "onto" has now been well demonstrated...

I got two differing answers. That's hardly "well demonstrated".


>...but what are your thoughts about "in to" and "into"?

What about starting a new thread on that?