[General] In or On the square

[Joost]

Dear all,

What is the difference between "in the (village/church/temple) square" and "on the square" ? Can you always use either one in sentences like "The man stood in/on the village square"?

kind regards,
Joost

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear all,

What is the difference between "in the (village/church/temple) square" and "on the square" ? Can you always use either one in sentences like "The man stood in/on the village square"?

kind regards,
Joost

Personally, I believe you would always say that someone stood "in a square".

It's possible to stand on a square, but I would say that this is when, for instance, a square has been painted on the ground and someone is standing on top of it! If you're talking about a town square, however, "in" the square would be correct.