Рус Eng Cn Translate this page:
Please select your language to translate the article


You can just close the window to don't translate
Library
Your profile

Back to contents

Philology: scientific researches
Reference:

Semiotic study of the preposition "on" in contemporary English.

Shklyaeva Polina Denisovna

ORCID: 0009-0006-7932-5335

Assistant; Department of Foreign Languages of Professional Communication; Vladimir State University named after A.G. and N.G. Stoletov
Master's degree; Department of Second Foreign Language and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages; Vladimir State University named after A.G. and N.G. Stoletov

600001, Russia, Vladimir region, Vladimir, Officer st., 1a room 1, sq. 56

polinashklyaeva1709@gmail.com
CHikina Elena Evgen'evna

ORCID: 0000-0003-3000-7804

Doctor of Philology

Associate Professor; Department of the Second foreign Language and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages; Vladimir State University named after A.G. and N.G. Stoletov

87 Gorky Street, Vladimir, 600000

despoyna@mail.ru

DOI:

10.7256/2454-0749.2025.4.74099

EDN:

BHGIVE

Received:

14-04-2025


Published:

04-05-2025


Abstract: The study is dedicated to the semiotic analysis of the preposition "on" in modern English, covering its semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic characteristics in the context of complex sign systems. The material consists of data from the British National Corpus (BNC) and the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), as well as from the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, allowing for the identification of patterns in the usage of "on" across diverse contexts: spatial, temporal, abstract, and causal relationships. The analysis revealed that the semantics of "on" depends on its collocation with nouns, verbs, and adjectives, while its pragmatic function is often related to conveying logical or culturally specific relationships. A comprehensive approach to the data from corpus linguistics and lexicographic sources identified the polysemy of "on," which is influenced by contextual and cognitive factors, confirming its role as a key element in structuring English discourse. The main research methods, necessitated by the need to identify the semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic features of the preposition "on," include semantic, contextual, and pragmatic analyses. Additionally, table, summarizing, descriptive, and retrospective methods were used to process the material. The main findings of the study include the identification of the core component of the semantics of the preposition "on" – the postulation of a temporal or spatial contact with an object. This core component is preserved in all types of realization of the linguistic sign "on" – in its iconic, indexical, and symbolic forms. Secondarily associative mental schemes arising from the core component of the semantics of "on" are manifested in the semiotic space of complex signs of idioms and phrasal verbs. The authors identify the following secondary semantic models: cyclical action, maximum proximity to a certain state or event, achieving maximum potential, continuous ongoing action, activation of something / transitioning to a working state, and optimal localization of the subject. The functioning of the linguistic sign "on" as a particle in a phrasal verb, a preposition, and an adverb demonstrates its ability to form, within the framework of complex signs, relationships of semantic paradigmatics, syntactic paradigmatics, and narrative syntax, respectively. A contrastive comparison of the preposition "on" with prepositions that can participate in the formation of similar syntactic constructions can reveal its linguistic and pragmatic presuppositions.


Keywords:

semiotics, semantics, pragmatics, syntactics, English language, preposition, linguistic sign, mental schema, paradigmatics, presupposition

This article is automatically translated. You can find original text of the article here.

Introduction

In the framework of cognitive linguistics, prepositions are considered as linguistic units encoding spatial relationships between entities, which are then expanded into abstract areas through conceptual metaphors and image schemes. This approach allows us to systematically explain the polysemy of prepositions.

The relevance of the research is due to the key role of on in the formation of spatial, temporal and metaphorical meanings, which contributes to a deeper understanding of polysemy in cognitive linguistics and the communicative strategies of native speakers. The object of the study is the preposition on in the context of its use in the corpus of modern English (British National Corpus, Corpus of Contemporary American English), and the subject is its semantic, pragmatic and syntactic characteristics, including its polysemy and semiotic functions.

The purpose of the study is to identify the semantic, pragmatic and syntactic features of the functioning of the on preposition in modern English using a semiotic approach. To achieve the goal, the following tasks are set:

  1. To carry out a semiotic and semantic analysis of on values based on corpus data.
  2. To identify spatial, temporal, and secondary associative meanings of on in various contexts.
  3. Compare the use of on with the prepositions in and at to clarify their semantic and pragmatic differences.
  4. Describe the syntactic role of on in phrasal verbs, idioms, and free phrases.

The novelty of the research lies in the complex application of the semiotic approach to the analysis of on, which made it possible to systematize its indexical, iconic and symbolic functions, as well as to describe in detail its syntactic variability in modern corpora.

In most world languages, prepositions, despite their small formal volume, play an essential role in organizing syntactic connections and ensuring the accuracy of thought expression. As noted by Sirik M. A. [7], prepositions function as irreplaceable connecting links, defining relationships between objects, actions and phenomena. Khanapieva A. Kh. and Mallaeva Z. M. [8] draw attention to the fact that prepositions create a complex system of semantic connections, which is confirmed by the analysis in the works of Zhukova A. O. [3]. Their research highlights the pragmatic aspects of the use of prepositions, emphasizing their role in communication strategies, which is especially important for analyzing the preposition on in various contexts. At the same time, various authors, including V. Egorova and O. Zadobrivskaya [15], point out that English prepositions are often interpreted as spatial modifiers of movement, and E. Chon [16] and Z. Makanbet [17] demonstrate their role in the formation of the semiotic space of phrasal verbs. These scientists proposed cross-linguistic approaches, comparing the functioning of prepositions with similar prepositions in other languages, which enriched the understanding of their universal and specific features. The study by Zaim M. and Takhar H. [18] emphasizes that the mental schemas actualized by the use of phrasal verbs are based on the spatial and kinetic experience of native speakers, which is complemented by Arnheim R. [19]'s idea of mental associations that go beyond what is directly perceived. Arnheim considered prepositions as signs capable of conveying cultural and historical meanings, which is especially relevant for the semiotic analysis of speech.

Of particular importance is the preposition on, which covers a wide range of meanings – from specific spatial relations to abstract conceptual categories. According to G. G. Baisheva and V. V. Gurin [1], the ambiguity of on is determined by the historical development of the English language, during which it competed with such prepositions as in, at, to, against. They investigated the functional and semantic features of prepositions, highlighting their role in creating text coherence and expressing spatial and abstract relationships, as well as tracing how on acquired temporal and metaphorical meanings. In the works of Zhukova A. O. [3] and Grechukhina Z. R. [2], it is emphasized that the semiotic approach allows us to consider on not only as a functional linguistic unit, but also as a sign with cultural and historical content, which opens up opportunities for an in-depth analysis of its functioning in the communicative process. M. A. Kalyuga [4] in his In her work, she focused on the syntactic functions of prepositions, analyzing their interaction with verbs in complex constructions, and M. R. Adizova [20] investigated the influence of regional and stylistic factors on the choice of prepositions in speech. These studies provide a solid basis for analyzing the functioning of the on preposition.The purpose of this study is to identify the semantic, pragmatic and syntactic features of the functioning of the on preposition in modern English.

Research methods

The present study is based on a semiotic methodology that considers language as a system of signs, where each unit conveys a certain meaning and performs its function. The analysis is based on corpus data from the British National Corpus [11] and the Corpus of Contemporary American English [10], which allowed us to identify real examples of the use of on in various contexts. The Oxford [13] and Cambridge [12] dictionaries, as well as other authoritative sources, for example, the works of Thompson D. [14] were used to determine the variability of the meanings of the preposition on.

The study includes a semiotic and semantic analysis, during which the preposition on is considered as a sign, the meaning of which varies depending on the context. A pragmatic analysis, as evidenced by the works of Molchanova A. S. and Nikolashina E. A. [6], allows us to trace the functional use of on in specific communicative situations. In addition, tabular, descriptive and retrospective methods were used in the analysis, which contributed to the systematization of the information received and its visual presentation.

Discussion of the research results

Historical analysis shows that the preposition on has Old English roots and developed in parallel with such prepositions as in, at, to and against. Lutfullina G. F. and Savinov S. S. [5] indicate that in the early stages of language formation, on was used to denote surface contact, but over time its meaning expanded to denote abstract states. Thus, in the statement "The book is on the table", the preposition on not only indicates the physical position of the object, but also implies the presence of a specific support surface, as noted by Kalyuga M. A. [4] and Sirik M. A. [7].

The study also revealed that on has the function of visualizing the position of objects, creating a mental picture, which is also noted in the works of Khanapieva A. H. and Mallaeva Z. M. [8], as well as Davies M. [10]. In the example "The train is traveling on the tracks", on not only captures the location of the train, but also illustrates linear motion, which is emphasized in the studies of Zhukova A. O. [3] and Khodzhageldyev B. D. with Shurupova O. S. [9]. In turn, in the example "The picture is on the wall", an iconic image is observed: the wall is represented as a plane, and the painting occupies a certain place on it – this is confirmed by the conclusions of Grechukhina Z. R. [2].

The function of the symbol is manifested, for example, in the expression "to be on duty", where on denotes not a physical presence, but a state or process, which is emphasized by the works of Zaim M. and Takhar H. [18] and Baisheva G. G. with Gurin V. V. [1].

To visually present the results of the study, tables were compiled reflecting the typology of mental schemas, semantic and pragmatic features and syntactic functions of the preposition on. Table 1 shows the types of mental schemas associated with on. In a spatial scheme (for example, "The book is on the table"), on denotes contact with a surface; in a temporal scheme (for example, "We will meet on Monday") – a specific point on the timeline; and in a secondary associative scheme (for example, "He is on duty") - figurative a value associated with a state or process.

Table 1. Typology of mental schemas in the semantics of the preposition on

Subspecies

Usage example

The form of expression

Semantic load

Spatial scheme

The book is on the table.

Surface contact

Describes the direct contact of an object with a surface

He lives on an island.

Location on the object or place

Indicates territorial affiliation or location from above

They walked on the grass.

Movement on the surface

Demonstrates movement along a plane, without going deep

Temporary scheme

We will meet on Monday.

A specific day or date

Indicates a point on the timeline

The show is on at 8 pm.

An event at a certain moment

Notifies about a specific time interval or moment

Secondary associative scheme

A book on history.

The subject of discussion or topics

Reflects the content devoted to any topic.

He is on duty.

Status or process

Defines the affiliation to a certain type of activity

She is on the phone.

Use of communication tools

Implies "being" in the process of conversation

The inclusion ("including") of the symbolic meanings of on becomes clearer when considering examples from real use. So, in the phrase The train is traveling on the tracks, we see that on not only shows the location, but also provides visualization of movement along a clearly marked line. There is a clear mental picture: the train "goes" strictly within the rails, and on connects the "train" object with the "track" line in a single directional movement scheme.

A similar example can be observed in the sentence The picture is on the wall, where on forms an image of the contact of a vertical plane (wall) and an object (painting).

Table 2 shows the semantic and pragmatic features of using on in stable expressions, such as idioms ("on and off", "on cloud nine") and phrasal verbs ("carry on", "turn on", "count on").

Table 2. Semantic and pragmatic features of using on

The form of expression

Example

Semantics

Secondary mental schemas

Idioms

on and off

"from time to time"

It is compared with a switch switching from "on" to "off" and back again.

on the verge of

"on the verge, on the verge of an event"

It signals a critical proximity to achieving something.

on cloud nine

"over the moon with happiness"

Creates a metaphor for the "highest point"

Phrasal verbs

carry on

"Keep going, don't stop"

Indicates non-stop action

turn on

"enable"

It is associated with the activation process (device or status startup)

count on

"relying on someone, relying on something"

It shows the localization of trust or dependence on an imaginary "surface"

At the same time, each quotation is accompanied by the name of the author who expressed the relevant idea, which avoids generalized references at the end of the paragraph. Table 3 illustrates the syntactic features of on functioning as part of complex linguistic units: as part of a phrasal verb (for example, "He turned the light on"), as well as an independent preposition (for example, "The book is on the table") or an adverb (for example, "Go on, tell me more!").

Table 3. - Syntactics of on in the composition of complex linguistic units

Part of speech

Example

Syntactic interaction

Semiotic features

Phrasal verb

He turned the light on.

on is included in the verb construction, specifying the additional meaning of "inclusion"

on participates in the creation of a separate semantic unit ("turn on" in the meaning of "turn on"), forms an image of activation

Preposition

The book is on the table.

indicates spatial contact within the framework of a loose phrase

on gives the phrase the idea of an object "touching" a surface

Adverb

Go on, tell me more!

it acts as a particle that encourages you to "continue"

on functions as a component of motivation to take action or move on to the next step.

A comparative analysis of the use of on with the prepositions in and at reveals that, despite their apparent interchangeability, they have differences in meaning. For example, in emphasizes inclusion in a team or internal affiliation ("in the team", "in the list"), while on indicates formal membership or positioning ("on the team", "on the list"). Such differences are described in detail in the works of Molchanova A. S. and Nikolashina E. A. [6] and are confirmed by studies of British and American corps [10, 11].

Table 4. Contextual features of on compared to in and at

A contrasting pair

The form of expression

The specifics of semantics

on/in

on/in the team

in emphasizes inclusion in the team as part of a single whole, on in some contexts creates the image of "being in the team" more formally

on/in the list

on the list is more often perceived as positioning oneself in the list, in the list – as "among" the listed elements.

on/at

on/at the station

on the station can be used in the North American version, implying that it is located on the territory of the station; at the station indicates the exact location in a narrow sense.

on/at the weekend

on the weekend is more typical for American English, at the weekend is more typical for British; both describe a time period, but the shades of perception may be different

As a result, it becomes clear that on plays a multicomponent function, simultaneously participating in the creation of spatial, temporal and secondary associative meanings. It is able to use the speaker's visual experience (a simplified picture with lines and surfaces), form metaphorical meanings (on duty – "on duty" in the figurative sense of "in the process of performing duties") and serve as an element of syntactic constructions where it can switch from a preposition to an adverb or phrasal particle.

Conclusions

The analysis shows that the preposition on retains its ancient basis associated with the idea of "contact" or "surface", but at the same time it has acquired a wide network of metaphorical and symbolic meanings. Its ambiguity is manifested in spatial, temporal, and secondary associative uses, and corpus studies confirm the high activity of on in the oral and written genres of modern English.

The semiotic approach makes it possible to consider on as a unit with indexical (direct indication of location), iconic (formation of visual images of contact or movement) and symbolic (fixation of abstract states and processes) functions. Each of these functions is revealed through specific syntactic and pragmatic models: phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions, and free phrases.

In addition, the comparison of on with in and at allows us to identify important presuppositions and clarify the boundaries of their use. The choice of preposition is often influenced by factors such as speech register, regional norms, context, and stylistic preferences of speakers.

Understanding the described semiotic properties of on is of considerable interest for further research in the field of cognitive linguistics and sign theory, as it allows for deeper insight into the mechanisms of meaning formation, as well as a more accurate description of the mechanism of interaction of grammatical and lexical elements in the English language. The expansion of the methodology used to analyze on, in relation to other prepositions, can provide new perspectives for classifying their polysemy and features of functioning in speech.

The conducted research demonstrates that the preposition on in modern English has a complex polysemy. Its basic meaning, associated with contact with the surface, is expanded to include temporal, metaphorical and symbolic meanings. As shown by Baisheva G. G. and Gurin V. V. [1], as well as Lutfullina G. F. and Savinov S. S. [5], at the historical stage on competed with other prepositions, however, the evolution of the language led to its widespread use in various contexts.

The semiotic approach allows us to consider on as a sign with indexical, iconic and symbolic functions. The index function is implemented in pointing to a specific position (for example, "The book is on the table"), the iconic function is to create a visual image of movement or contact (for example, "The train is traveling on the tracks"), and the symbolic function is to indicate a state or process (for example, "to be on duty"). Along with this, the analysis of syntactic constructions shows that on can act as an independent preposition, as part of a phrasal verb, or even as an adverb, which is emphasized by the research of Zhukova A. O. [3] and Grechukhina Z. R. [2].

The comparison of on with the prepositions in and at reveals subtle differences in their use, which is confirmed by the analysis of corpus data and lexicographic comparisons, as noted in the works of Molchanova A. S. and Nikolashina E. A. [6]. Thus, the study of the preposition on allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of formation of semantic connections in language, as well as to expand the understanding of the interaction of linguistic units in the communication process.

References
1. Baisheva, G. G., & Gurin, V. V. (2019). Polysemy of English prepositions. Academic Journalism, 11, 243-251. EDN: WNDLHD.
2. Grechukhina, Z. R. (2021). Interaction of preposition meaning and context. Bulletin of the Moscow State Regional University. Series: Linguistics, 1, 106-116. https://doi.org/10.18384/2310-712X-2021-1-106-116. EDN: EZDQPB.
3. Zhukova, A. O. (2022). On the problem of studying the polysemy of prepositions (based on the material of the English language). Bulletin of the Mogilev State University named after A. A. Kuliashov, 2(60), 112-117.
4. Kalyuga, M. A. (2021). Application of cognitive linguistics in explaining the use of foreign prepositions. Bulletin of Vyatka State University, 4, 79-87.
5. Lutfullina, G. F., & Savinov, S. S. (2024). Expression of the category of precedence by prepositions and conjunctions in English. Philological Sciences. Issues of Theory and Practice, 17(2), 496-502. https://doi.org/10.30853/phil20240071. EDN: AAASXM.
6. Molchanova, A. S., & Nikolashina, E. A. (2021). Features of perception of locative prepositions in English and Russian. Actual Issues of Foreign Language Studies in Higher Education, 244-247. EDN: MEMMNP.
7. Sirik, M. A. (2019). The role of prepositions in the English language. Modern Science, 6-1, 72-77.
8. Khanapieva, A. K., & Mallaeva, Z. M. (2020). Functional-semantic analysis of spatial prepositions in English. World Science, 7(40), 131-134. EDN: GBMLBI.
9. Khodzhageldiev, B. D., & Shurupova, O. S. (2020). On the problem of English prepositions. Modern English Language in Linguistic, Philological, and Linguodidactic Aspects, 47-51. EDN: SMUAVI.
10. Davies, M. (2024). The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA): 1 billion words, 1990-2022. Retrieved from https://www.english-corpora.org/coca/.
11. British National Corpus. (2007). Version 4.0. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://www.natcorp.ox.ac.uk/.
12. McIntosh, C. (2013). Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
13Oxford Dictionary of English. (2005). New ed of 2 revised. Oxford University Press.
14. Thompson, D. (2007). Oxford Russian Dictionary: Russian-English/English-Russian (4th revised ed.). Oxford University Press.
15. Egorova, V., & Zadobrivskaya, O. (2023). Container scheme-image and its types: English phrasal verbs of cognitive activity. SibScript, 25, 433-440.
16. Chon, E. (2024). Phrasal verbs with “around” and “about” as a grammatical pattern. Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics, 24, 62-85.
17. Makanbet, Z. (2024). Linguistic features of phrasal verbs in English. Eurasian Science Review: An International Peer-Reviewed Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(6), 723-732.
18. Zaim, M., & Tahar, K. (2024). The role of image schemas in interpreting English phrasal verbs: A philosophical and linguistic perspective. Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature, 16(1), 63-79.
19. Arnheim, R. (2020). Visual thinking. University of California Press.
20. Adizova, M. (2021). The role of phrasal verbs in phraseology. Middle European Scientific Bulletin, 2, 20-24. https://doi.org/10.47494/mesb.2021.2.157. EDN: ZTAZCV.

First Peer Review

Peer reviewers' evaluations remain confidential and are not disclosed to the public. Only external reviews, authorized for publication by the article's author(s), are made public. Typically, these final reviews are conducted after the manuscript's revision. Adhering to our double-blind review policy, the reviewer's identity is kept confidential.
The list of publisher reviewers can be found here.

In the reviewed article, the subject of research is the semantic, pragmatic and syntactic features of the functioning of the preposition on in modern English. The relevance of the work is due to the increased interest of linguistic science in the semantic side of linguistic phenomena and to the problems of prepositions, which play an essential role in organizing syntactic connections and ensuring the accuracy of thought expression, as well as the lack of elaboration of the theory of polysemous prepositions. As the author(s) note, "the preposition on, which covers a wide range of meanings, from specific spatial relations to abstract conceptual categories, is of particular importance," which justifies the choice of the preposition on as an object of study. The theoretical basis of the research was scientific works on the ambiguity of English prepositions, their functional and semantic analysis, and the interaction of preposition meaning and context by such Russian and foreign scientists as Z. R. Grechukhina, G. G. Baisheva, V. V. Gurin, M. A. Kalyuga, A. H. Khanapieva, Z. M. Mallaeva, A. O. Zhukova, and M. R. Adizova., Arnheim, Z. Makanbet, E. Chon, and others . The bibliography of the article includes 20 sources, including lexicographic ones, which correspond to the specifics of the subject under consideration, the content requirements and are reflected on the pages of the manuscript. In the future, we do not recommend that the author(s) appeal to other studies in their conclusions, since in this case the authorship of the results is unclear ("Comparing on with the prepositions in and at reveals subtle differences in their use, which is confirmed by analyzing corpus data and lexicographic comparisons (see the works of Molchanova A. S. and Nikolashina E. A. [6])"). The methodological basis of the study consisted of methods of dictionary sampling and component analysis, comparative method, pragmatic ("allows you to trace the functional use of the preposition on in specific communicative situations"), tabular, descriptive and retrospective methods ("which contributed to the systematization of the information received and its visual representation"), semiotic and semantic analysis ("during which the preposition on is considered as a sign, the meaning of which varies depending on the context"), etc. The choice of methods is justified and corresponds to the purpose and objectives of the work. The analysis is based on corpus data from the British National Corpus and the Corpus of Contemporary American English, which allowed us to identify real examples of the use of the preposition on in various contexts. The Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, as well as other authoritative sources, were used to determine the variability of the meanings of the preposition on. The research examines the semantic, pragmatic and contextual features of the preposition on, the typology of its mental schemas and syntactic functions. The corresponding tables have been compiled for a visual representation of the results obtained. The conclusions are formulated that the preposition on "plays a multicomponent function, simultaneously participating in the creation of spatial, temporal and secondary associative meanings. It is able to use the speaker's visual experience, form metaphorical meanings and serve as an element of syntactic constructions, where it can switch from a preposition to an adverb or phrasal particle"; "studying the preposition on allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of formation of semantic connections in language, as well as expand the understanding of the interaction of linguistic units in the communication process." The theoretical significance of the work lies in the fact that it contributes to the development of the general theory of the "preposition category" and the problem of the ambiguity of prepositions. The practical significance is determined by the possibility of using the results obtained in further scientific research on the stated issues and in university courses in semasiology, language theory, lexicology and lexicography. The work style meets the requirements of a scientific description, the content of the manuscript corresponds to the title, and the research logic is clear. However, the volume of the manuscript is too small to cover the topic, especially in the theoretical part: the review of scientific literature on the topic is presented very concisely. The article has a complete form; it is completely independent, original, will be interesting and useful to a wide range of people and can be recommended for publication in the scientific journal Philology: Scientific Research after the above comments are eliminated.

Second Peer Review

Peer reviewers' evaluations remain confidential and are not disclosed to the public. Only external reviews, authorized for publication by the article's author(s), are made public. Typically, these final reviews are conducted after the manuscript's revision. Adhering to our double-blind review policy, the reviewer's identity is kept confidential.
The list of publisher reviewers can be found here.

The methods used are semiotic, semantic and pragmatic analysis, supplemented by tabular, descriptive and retrospective methods. The analysis uses a tabular, descriptive and retrospective method. The material for the study was the corpus of modern English. In the main part, the author consistently proves the development of the preposition ‘on’ with new, that is, initially absent, abstract meanings related to movement and process. Examples of contrastive pairs of prepositions from the paradigm of prepositions of place ('in’ and ‘at’) are also given. In addition to the spatial meaning, the author identifies a temporal and secondary associative meaning. It is emphasized that the preposition ‘on’ is able to use the speaker's visual experience (a simplified picture with lines and surfaces), form metaphorical meanings and serve as an element of syntactic constructions, where it can switch from a preposition to an adverb or phrasal particle. As a result of this comprehensive analysis, the author concludes that "the preposition on in modern English has a complex polysemy. Its basic meaning, associated with contact with the surface, is expanded to include temporal, metaphorical and symbolic meanings." At the same time, from the point of view of semiotics, it is postulated that "the semiotic approach allows us to consider on as a sign with indexical, iconic and symbolic functions. The index function is implemented in indicating a specific position, the iconic function is to create a visual image of movement or contact, and the symbolic function is to indicate a state or process. Along with this, the analysis of syntactic constructions shows that on can act as an independent preposition, as part of a phrasal verb, or even as an adverb." The author consistently proves his claims by referring to an extensive theoretical base, and also illustrates the conclusions with examples, so the data obtained during the study can be considered reliable. The style of the article is scientific, the information is presented objectively, the conclusions are substantiated by the results of the study. The volume of the article is sufficient. The article is designed in accordance with the requirements for scientific articles, contains links to sources and a list of references, including the most relevant research on this topic. However, the author did not clearly outline the purpose and objectives of the research, and also did not mention the subject, object, relevance and novelty of the research. Thus, it can be concluded that the article "The semiotic study of the preposition on in modern English" is a research paper that contributes to the study of cognitive linguistics and modern English. The work meets the requirements for scientific articles and can be recommended for publication in the journal Philology: Scientific Research after adding the missing sections mentioned above.

Third Peer Review

Peer reviewers' evaluations remain confidential and are not disclosed to the public. Only external reviews, authorized for publication by the article's author(s), are made public. Typically, these final reviews are conducted after the manuscript's revision. Adhering to our double-blind review policy, the reviewer's identity is kept confidential.
The list of publisher reviewers can be found here.

The object of research of the reviewed article is the preposition "on" in the context of its use in the corpus of modern English, the subject is "its semantic, pragmatic and syntactic characteristics, including its polysemy and semiotic functions." In my opinion, the topic of the work is interesting and debatable; the relevance of the research "is due to the key role of on in the formation of spatial, temporal and metaphorical meanings, which contributes to a deeper understanding of polysemy in cognitive linguistics and the communicative strategies of native speakers." The author of the work indicates that "the purpose of the study is to identify the semantic, pragmatic and syntactic features of the functioning of the preposition on in modern English using a semiotic approach." I believe that the methodological basis of the work is modern, constructive, and thoughtful. In general, the articles correspond to the genre of scientific research, the basic requirements are taken into account. It is worth recognizing that the novelty of the work "lies in the complex application of the semiotic approach to the analysis of on, which made it possible to systematize its indexical, iconic and symbolic functions, as well as to describe in detail its syntactic variability in modern corpora." The author managed to actually systematize the existing experience, summarize and highlight his own view of the problem. I believe that the argumentation option is correct; references and citations are given in an objective, accurate format. The style correlates with the scientific type proper: for example, "In most world languages, prepositions, despite their small formal volume, play an essential role in organizing syntactic connections and ensuring the accuracy of thought expression. As noted by Sirik M. A. [7], prepositions function as irreplaceable connecting links, defining relationships between objects, actions and phenomena," or "The preposition on, which covers a wide range of meanings, from specific spatial relations to abstract conceptual categories, is of particular importance. According to G. G. Baisheva and V. V. Gurin [1], the ambiguity of on is determined by the historical development of the English language, during which it competed with such prepositions as in, at, to, against. They investigated the functional and semantic features of prepositions, highlighting their role in creating coherence of the text and expressing spatial and abstract relationships, as well as tracing how on acquired temporal and metaphorical meanings,"etc. The available text is sufficient to reveal the topic; the work is characterized by a verified narrative logic, the terms / concepts used in the course of the study are unified. There are enough actual examples: "A comparative analysis of the use of on with the prepositions in and at reveals that despite their apparent interchangeability, they have differences in meanings. For example, in emphasizes inclusion in a team or internal affiliation ("in the team", "in the list"), while on indicates formal membership or positioning ("on the team", "on the list"). Successfully, in my opinion, the accumulated experience is summarized in the form of tables (visual plan). The author concludes that "the preposition on retains its ancient basis associated with the idea of "contact" or "surface", but at the same time it has acquired a wide network of metaphorical and symbolic meanings. Its ambiguity is manifested in spatial, temporal and secondary associative uses, and corpus studies confirm the high activity of on in the oral and written genres of modern English" and further. I think the material can be actively used in the course of learning English, while it is promising to study the functioning of the preposition "on" in speech and beyond. The main goal of the work has been achieved, the tasks have been solved. I recommend the article "The Semiotic study of the preposition on in Modern English" for publication in the journal Philology: Scientific Research.