Reside: "in" or "on"?

Question

In a clause like this one:

the success of the book resides in the clear explanations of complex subjects

is "in" the right preposition? Or is it better to use "on", like in:

the success of the book resides on the clear explanations of complex subjects

Thanks!

Neither. One might say "The success of the book resides in its clear explanations of complex subjects", but "rests in" would be better, as would several other wordings. — Hot Licks, Jan 22 '18 at 13:41

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 22 '18 at 13:07

3

"In" is better, as one resides in a location rather than on it. However, I don't think that "resides" is a good choice in the first place; perhaps "depends upon" or "is due to"? "Success" requires a source, not a residence.

answered Jan 22 '18 at 13:07

Gregory Benoit

116

1

I reside in a house. I reside on an island. I reside in a nation. I reside on a continent. I reside on a planet. In what manner something resides depends on context. Is it a surface? An enclosure? An abstract idea? A political entity? – Davo Jan 22 '18 at 13:25

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 22 '18 at 13:16

phrasal verb [transitive] reside in

to exist in or belong to someone or something
Synonyms and related words
To be in a particular position or place:occupy, set, exist...

re-side′ v. re•side (rɪˈzaɪd)

v.i. -sid•ed, -sid•ing. 1. to dwell permanently or for a considerable time; live. 2. (of things, qualities, etc.) to be present habitually; be inherent (usu. fol. by in). 3. to rest or be vested, as powers or rights (usu. fol. by in). [1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French resider < Latin residēre=re- re- + -sidēre, comb. form of sedēre to sit]

"The finest acoustics that can be found in the world reside in this hall."

Obversely, in the sciences: " ... we conclude from these results that the functional CaR resides on the cell surface of transfected HEK293 cells in the form of a dimer." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9722601

Reside: "in" or "on"?

2 Answers2