Experience in Or on|Here’s the Difference

However, the rules aren’t as difficult as they may seem. You just need to spend some time learning about them. One of these rules revolves around the use of “experience in” or ” on.” So, which one should you use in which situation?

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the English language can be quite confusing at times. There are so many rules and words that seem to contradict themselves, which can make it challenging to know what’s correct.

Is It Experience In Or Experience On?

The phrase experience in should be used when you’re talking about having experience in a field or subject. Typically, the experience here refers to something intangible (something you can’t physically touch). On the other hand, experience on should be used when you’re referring to experience with a piece of equipment or something that’s tangible (something that can be touched or physically interacted with).

• Experience in refers to intangible concepts like subjects, fields, or areas of expertise.

Examples

• I have experience in marketing.
• She has experience in graphic design.
• He has experience in project management.
• They have experience in software development.
• I gained experience in customer service.
• She has experience in event planning.
• He has experience in public speaking.
• We have experience in digital advertising.
• I have experience in data analysis.
• He gained experience in teaching.
• She has experience in legal research.
• I have experience in human resources.
• He has experience in financial planning.
• She has experience in supply chain management.
• We have experience in strategic planning.
• He has experience in content creation.
• I have experience in leadership development.
• She has experience in policy analysis.
• He has experience in risk management.
• We gained experience in conflict resolution.
• I have experience in change management.
• He has experience in market research.
• She has experience in product development.
• We have experience in crisis communication.
• I have experience in environmental consulting.
• She has experience in social media strategy.
• He has experience in corporate training.
• I have experience in contract negotiation.
• She gained experience in brand management.
• We have experience in entrepreneurship.

Experience on is used for tangible objects like equipment, tools, or physical devices.

Examples

• I have experience on a forklift.
• She has experience on power drills.
• He has experience on a microscope.
• They have experience on heavy machinery.
• I gained experience on a tractor.
• She has experience on a sewing machine.
• He has experience on a 3D printer.
• We have experience on gaming consoles.
• I have experience on a DSLR camera.
• He gained experience on a CNC machine.
• She has experience on a laboratory centrifuge.
• I have experience on an ultrasound machine.
• He has experience on a cash register.
• She has experience on a photocopier.
• We have experience on a treadmill.
• He has experience on a welding torch.
• I have experience on an X-ray machine.
• She has experience on a dental chair.
• He has experience on an espresso machine.
• We gained experience on an assembly line.
• I have experience on a chainsaw.
• He has experience on a musical keyboard.
• She has experience on a bulldozer.
• We have experience on a marine engine.
• I have experience on a television production set.
• She has experience on a drone.
• He has experience on an electric scooter.
• I have experience on a woodworking lathe.
• She gained experience on a surgical robot.
• We have experience on virtual reality headsets.

Now, let’s dive deeper into how these phrases are used and what to look for when deciding between the two.

How Do You Use “Experience” In A Sentence?

So, what exactly does “experience” mean, and how can you use it? Experience refers to the knowledge or skills someone gains through practice or exposure to a particular subject or activity. The more time someone spends learning or doing something, the more experience they acquire in that field or activity.

You can have experience in a subject, such as mathematics, biology, or psychology. Similarly, you can have experience in driving a specific type of vehicle or participating in a particular sport. However, if you’re talking about something tangible, like equipment or devices, you’d say you have experience on it.

It’s important to remember this distinction because mixing them up can change the meaning of your sentence. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to say you have “experience in gaming consoles” since gaming consoles are physical objects. Instead, you’d say you have experience on gaming consoles. Conversely, saying you have “experience on psychology” is incorrect since psychology is an intangible subject, so you should say you have experience in psychology.

Is It Have Experience In Or On?

When using either experience in or experience on, you typically need to include the word “have” or “has”. This is because experience is a noun, not a verb, so it needs a helping verb to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Whether you say “have experience in” or “have experience on,” the rules about tangible vs intangible still apply:

• Use have experience in when referring to fields, subjects, or skills.
• Use have experience on when referring to tools, equipment, or physical objects.

For instance, you might say:

• “I have experience in marketing.”
• “She has experience on a tractor.”

Even though the “have” or “has” changes depending on the tense or subject, the rules for using in or on remain the same.

15 Examples Of How To Use “Experience In”

To solidify your understanding, let’s look at some examples of experience in used correctly. These sentences will help you see the phrase in action:

Examples

• I have experience in software engineering.
• She has experience in digital marketing.
• He has experience in project management.
• They have experience in customer service.
• I gained experience in financial analysis.
• She has experience in content writing.
• He has experience in graphic design.
• We have experience in human resources.
• I have experience in data science.
• She gained experience in public relations.
• He has experience in education.
• I have experience in research methodology.
• She has experience in strategic planning.
• He has experience in risk management.
• We have experience in event coordination.

Notice how all of these sentences are referring to fields or subjects that are intangible. They all use “experience in” and include verbs like “have”, “has”, or “is” to complete the sentence.

15 Examples Of How To Use “Experience On”

Now that we’ve covered experience in, let’s move on to some examples of experience on. Remember, these examples will deal with tangible objects:

Examples

• I have experience on a desktop computer.
• She has experience on a treadmill.
• He has experience on construction equipment.
• They have experience on medical devices.
• I gained experience on an electric saw.
• She has experience on a tractor.
• He has experience on a cash register.
• We have experience on a 3D printer.
• I have experience on a forklift.
• He gained experience on gaming consoles.
• She has experience on a digital camera.
• I have experience on a photocopy machine.
• He has experience on a drone.
• She has experience on laboratory equipment.
• We have experience on power tools.

In these examples, we’re talking about physical items, like PCs, gaming consoles, and cars. These are all things you can touch, so the phrase experience on is appropriate. However, in today’s language, many people prefer using “experience with” instead of “experience on”, as it feels more modern and versatile. In many cases, you can replace “on” with “with” when

talking about tangible objects, and it would still be grammatically correct. For example, saying “I have experience with gaming consoles” is more common today than “I have experience on gaming consoles.”

Quiz: Have You Mastered Experience In Or On Grammar?

To wrap things up, let’s test your understanding of when to use experience in vs experience on. Choose the correct answer for each of the following sentences:

• I have (A. experience in / B. experience on) all things to do with computers.
• I have (A. experience in / B. experience on) the relevant subjects.
• She has (A. experience in / B. experience on) the field that’ll be useful to us.
• We have no (A. experience in / B. experience on) playing sports.
• My (A. experience in / B. experience on) these matters is lackluster.

Quiz Answers:

• B. experience on (computers are tangible objects)
• A. experience in (subjects are intangible)
• A. experience in (fields are intangible)
• B. experience on (sports equipment is tangible)
• A. experience in (matters are intangible)

FAQs

What is experience in?

Experience in refers to your knowledge or skills in a specific area, like a subject or field. For example, if you have experience in marketing, it means you know a lot about that topic. It usually comes from studying or working in that area over time.

When should I use experience on?

You should use experience on when talking about tangible objects or equipment. For example, if you have experience on a computer, it means you know how to use that specific device. It’s about hands-on skills with physical things.

Can I use experience in for all subjects?

Yes, you can use experience in for any subject or field of study. Whether it’s experience in science, art, or technology, it shows your level of understanding. Just remember, it’s for intangible areas of knowledge.

What’s the difference between experience in and experience on?

The main difference is that experience in is for abstract concepts, while experience on is for concrete objects. For example, you say “experience in education” but “experience on a computer.” This helps clarify what type of knowledge or skills you have.

How do I gain more experience in a field?

To gain more experience in a field, you can study, take courses, or work on related projects. Volunteering or internships are also great ways to learn. The more time you spend in that area, the more experience you will gain.

Is experience on outdated?

Many people now prefer using experience with instead of experience on. While experience on is still correct, experience with feels more modern and is commonly used. Just be sure to use it correctly for tangible objects!

Final words

In conclusion, understanding the difference between experience in and experience on is essential for clear communication. Using experience in helps convey your knowledge in intangible areas like subjects or fields, while experience on relates to tangible objects and equipment. As you continue to develop your skills and knowledge, remember that gaining experience is a valuable part of personal and professional growth. With practice, you’ll confidently apply these terms in your conversations and writing!