Definitions

On is used to indicate location or position on a surface. Onto indicates the movement of something from a particular position or location to another. On to, as two words, are used when on is a part of a phrasal verb.

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When to use On?

On is used to indicate location or position on a surface. For instance, I have left the file on your desk. Apollo 11 was the first spaceflight to land humans on the Moon.

When to use Onto?

Onto indicates the movement of something from a particular position or location to another.  For instance, They climbed onto the roof to gaze at the starry sky. Why don’t we step onto the dance floor?

When to use On to?

On to, as two words, are used when on is a part of a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs, are a group of two or three words that form a semantic unit which functions as a verb. For instance, Please log on to your computers. You must hold on to your dream, no matter how challenging it gets.

On, onto and on to - Difference?

On - object is present at a particular location. Onto - movement of the object towards a particular location. On to must be used when on constitutes a phrasal verb and to is following it as a preposition for connecting the sentencing with the object.

Tips to Remember

1. When you want to tell the location or position of an object, use on. 2. The ‘to’ present in onto can be remembered as ‘towards’. So, when you are talking about the movement of an object to/towards a particular location, use onto. 3. If on is a part of a phrasal verb, use on to.

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