onto

/ˈɒntə/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːntə/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯn-(ˌ)tü ˈän-/ (ame, mw)

onto — 介系詞

1. to a surface or position, so that movement finishes there

1.介系詞B1
釋義

移到上面

移動後到某物表面

to a surface or position, so that movement finishes there

例句

Leo jumped onto the stage when the singer called his name.

Leo 聽到歌手叫名後，跳上了舞台。

jump onto + surface

The cat climbed onto the warm car roof after lunch.

那隻貓午飯後爬上暖暖的車頂。

同義詞
  • on

    describes position, not the movement that ends there

  • to

    shows direction generally, without the idea of arriving on a surface

文法句型

jump/climb/get onto + surface

用法筆記

Often follows movement verbs such as jump, climb, roll, and spill. Use this sense when something ends up on a surface; use on when the thing is already there.

常見錯誤

❌She logged onto check her email.
✅She logged on to check her email.
💡Write 'on to' as two words when 'to' begins an infinitive.

2. used when talk, study, or attention turns to a different subject

2.介系詞B2
釋義

轉談

轉到另一個話題

used when talk, study, or attention turns to a different subject

例句

After budgets, the meeting moved onto hiring plans.

談完預算後，會議轉談招募計畫。

move onto + next topic

The guide moved onto safety rules after the welcome speech.

歡迎致詞後，導覽員轉談安全規定。

同義詞
  • to

    can mark change in direction, but is less specific about switching topics

  • on to

    is often written as two words when on belongs closely to the verb phrase

文法句型

move/get onto + new topic

用法筆記

Usually follows verbs like move, get, and go. Distinguish from sense 1: no physical movement happens here; only the subject of attention changes.

3. continuing to keep something in your hands or in your possession

3.介系詞
釋義

抓緊；留著

持續握住或不放手

continuing to keep something in your hands or in your possession

例句

Mia held onto the rail as the bus turned sharply.

公車急轉時，Mia 抓緊扶手。

hold onto + object

Grandpa hung onto his father's watch for fifty years.

爺爺把父親的手錶留在身邊五十年。

同義詞
  • keep

    is broader and does not always suggest gripping or holding

  • hold

    focuses on the act itself; onto links the verb to the thing kept

反義詞
  • let go of

    shows releasing the object instead of keeping it

文法句型

hold/hang onto + thing

用法筆記

Usually appears after hold, hang, cling, or similar verbs. The object is something you physically grip or choose not to give up.

常見錯誤

❌Hold on the rope when the boat moves.
✅Hold onto the rope when the boat moves.
💡Use 'onto' when you mean keeping your grip on something.

4. aware of a useful person, idea, or chance that may help you

4.介系詞
釋義

找到門路

知道有用的人或辦法

aware of a useful person, idea, or chance that may help you

例句

Rita is onto a cheap printer that could save the shop money.

Rita 找到便宜印表機的門路，可能替店裡省錢。

be onto + useful idea/source

The coach thinks the team is onto a better training plan.

教練覺得球隊找到更好的訓練方法了。

同義詞
  • find

    focuses on discovery, while onto suggests recognizing value in it

  • spot

    is more momentary and less about using an advantage

文法句型

be onto + useful person/idea

用法筆記

Common in informal speech, often after be. Distinguish from sense 5: here the thing you know about is helpful or promising, not secret wrongdoing.

5. aware of someone's hidden bad action and close to proving it

5.介系詞
釋義

識破

發現對方在隱瞞壞事

aware of someone's hidden bad action and close to proving it

例句

The police were onto the scammer after three bank customers complained.

三名銀行客戶投訴後，警方已識破那名詐騙犯。

be onto + person doing wrong

Maya knew her parents were onto her fake sick note.

Maya 知道父母已識破她那張造假的病假單。

同義詞
  • suspect

    means think something is wrong, but not necessarily be near proof

  • catch on to

    often means realize or understand; onto someone is more about discovering hidden wrongdoing

文法句型

be onto + person doing something wrong

用法筆記

Usually after be, with subjects such as police, parents, teachers, or reporters. The object is often a person trying to hide something.

6. speaking to someone, often repeatedly, to ask for action or complain

6.介系詞
釋義

催辦；抱怨

反覆找人要求處理

speaking to someone, often repeatedly, to ask for action or complain

例句

Jade has been onto the plumber about the leaking pipe all week.

Jade 整個星期都在催水電工修那根漏水的管子。

be onto someone about + problem

Parents were onto the school for clearer bus times.

家長們一直向學校抱怨，希望公車時間更清楚。

同義詞
  • contact

    is neutral and does not suggest repeated pressure

  • chase

    informally suggests repeatedly asking someone to act

文法句型

be/get onto + person + about + problem

用法筆記

Common with complaints, repair requests, and repeated follow-up. Distinguish from sense 5: here you are contacting someone directly, not discovering their secret.

常見錯誤

❌I was onto with the company about the refund.
✅I was onto the company about the refund.
💡Put the person or organization directly after 'onto'.

7. so that a new part or extra item becomes attached to something else

7.介系詞
釋義

加裝；附加

把新部分接到原物上

so that a new part or extra item becomes attached to something else

例句

The builder added a porch onto the front of the house.

工人把門廊加裝到房子前面。

add onto + larger thing

Lina tagged two extra questions onto the survey.

Lina 在問卷後面又附加了兩個問題。

同義詞
  • add to

    can mean increase generally, not necessarily attach as an extra part

  • attach to

    focuses on joining, not on the idea of adding something extra

反義詞
  • remove from

    shows taking a part away instead of adding it

文法句型

add/tag/bolt onto + larger thing

用法筆記

Usually follows add, tag, bolt, tack, or similar verbs. The thing after onto is the main object that receives an extra part.

onto — 形容詞