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There was nothing to see. He was in the middle of a desert. No wonder he was so thirsty. But, luckily, he had brought his purple crayon. And he knew where to find water on a desert

In my experience, common usage finds one "in a desert" rather than "on" one. Honestly, this is my first time encountering this particular usage anywhere.

Is it more common to say (verbally or in writing) that one is "in a desert" or "on a desert"? Has common usage of this phrase shifted since the book's original copyright date in 1957 or are there other reasons for this difference in usage? I have already seen other questions similar to this one such as "On a page" or "in a page" for a web page and I understand that prepositions are used interchangeably in some situations. My question is not about correct usage but common usage. Any examples from other written works would be appreciated I have this U.S. perspective to contribute: I was editing a book in which a character pulled her car "Onto to the driveway" and later "Onto the parking lot." I changed it to Into. But the author argued that they say "into" in Pennsylvania(I'm in Illinois). She claims that the driveway is the pavement, so of course you are on/above it. I think the driveway is the international airspace above the pavement, so you are IN it.

Andrew Leach
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DOUDNIE SAINT GEORGES
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  • As you suspect, "in a desert" is vastly more common than "on a desert" (which I don't think I've ever heard). – Daniel Asimov Apr 05 '23 at 01:55
  • I wonder if you have the context wrong. If having a purple crayon can solve his water problem then he must be on a drawing of a desert. – Hot Licks Apr 05 '23 at 02:27
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    This is from one of the Harold and his Purple Crayon children's books. I believe the author is referring to the fact that Harold is standing on a purple line that he drew, and is dreaming is a desert. (Please note that Harold was not able to draw a balloon to fly or a window to crawl through.) – jimm101 Apr 05 '23 at 03:22
  • In is used of most spaces: in a desert, in a veldt, in a park, in a garden, in a field, except sometimes where something is flat and laid out according to a design - on a parade ground, on a tennis court. Note that on a road or in a road are both common but have slightly different contexts (driving on a road, standing in a road). – Stuart F Apr 05 '23 at 08:49
  • @Hot Licks He doesn't need une pipe then. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 05 '23 at 11:31

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