Which preposition should we use with passing a vote of confidence? Specifically, is it ‘in’ or ‘on’?
Often used in government and other administrative circles, a vote of confidence refers to the one showing that a majority continues to support the policy of a leader or governing body – according to Longman Dictionary. The opposite of this is vote of no confidence.
In many contexts, the correct thing to say is a vote of confidence in someone, not on him or her. It is like the expression, repose confidence in, also not on. So, you should not join those who flaunt the wrong expression, pass a vote of confidence on:
- The lawmakers have passed a vote of confidence on the President. (Wrong)
- The lawmakers have passed a vote of confidence in the President. (Correct)
- The members of the Board have passed a vote of no confidence on the chairman. (Wrong)
- The members of the Board have passed a vote of no confidence in the chairman. (Correct)
Note, however, that we can also have vote of confidence for someone, when we are pleased with the quality of something or what someone has done:
- The visit by the lawmakers to the President is a vote of confidence for him.
In this regard, here is an example from Cambridge Dictionary:
- I think the fact that so many of you are here tonight is a vote of confidence for our local performers.
A similar instance ‘on’ is misused by some people is the one that has to do with investment. Is it invest in or invest on? The question becomes relevant knowing that there are speakers and writers who present ‘invest on’. This is unacceptable in most cases they use it. Simply speaking, you invest in something, someone or a business:
- I have decided to invest on the fish project. (Wrong)
- I have decided to invest in the fish project. (Correct)
- His prompt investment on the oil industry has turned a huge blessing (Wrong)
- His prompt investment in the oil industry has turned a huge blessing. (Correct)
There are other linguistic environments to watch when it comes to the ‘rivalry’ between ‘on’’ and ‘in’ and we have treated some of them in this class. Consider when you need to state whether or not someone is in a particular arena or compound, using premises:
- I learnt that Chief Sunday Igboho is … the premises.
Here, is the missing preposition ‘on’ or ‘in’? Do you say someone is on the premises or in the premises? The correct word for the gap is ‘on’, not ‘in’:
- I learnt that Chief Sunday Igboho is on the premises.
A similar example is located in the situation we have ‘converge’. While you gather at a place – like a stadium or a park – you converge on such a location:
The students converged in the field, waiting for the vice chancellor. (Wrong)
The students converged on the field, waiting for the vice chancellor. (Correct)