grammar - Prepositions: "in" vs. "on" a tab/widget


In my quest to grasp the dichotomy between "on" and "in" I have found another example that left me in doubt.




  1. Initializes the widgets added on the tabs.

  2. Validates the information on the widgets.



At the first example I think the widget is being added in / into the tab.
As far as the second example once again I think the information is validated in the widget not on the widget because the information is inside the widget.


Could you help me here clarifying this ?


Note: If you are not familiar with the concept of tab and widget you can check it here.



Answer



Although a tab is technically a specific type of container element which you would think calls for "in" as the preferred preposition, the usage metaphor treats it as a sheet of paper, ONto which things are placed or written. A widget, although also a container element, is a more generic term; thus it is treated as an undifferentiated container, and then the metaphor clearly calls for things to be placed INto it.


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