Skip to main content

Difference between In one’s mind and On one’s mind

in one’s mind—in one’s thoughts:

  • Miss Quested, who always said exactly what was in her mind, announced that she was desirous of seeing the real India.

Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase in one’s head—in one’s memory:

  • I don’t know how the chairman keeps all those figures in his head.

on one’s mind—

1. said of smth. occupying one’s thoughts, which causes worry or concern:

  • I don’t think I could have slept anyway because the thought of death was on my mind.

2. = in one’s mind:

  • Socrates even mocked some people saying to them whatever was on his mind…