Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

Rub on vs. rub against

Rub on usually means applying something to a surface. Rub against describes contact with pressure or friction.

Quick answer

How do rub on and rub against differ?

Use rub on when putting a substance onto a surface. Use rub against when two things touch and move with friction.

She rubbed lotion on her hands.
The cat rubbed against my leg.
He rubbed sunscreen on his face.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
rub on + body part or surface

Applying a substance

Use rub on when spreading cream, oil, paint, or another substance onto something.

She rubbed oil on the table.
2
rub against + object

Touching with friction

Use rub against when something presses and moves along another surface.

Branches rubbed against the window.
3
rub + object + on + surface

Moving an object over a surface

This pattern focuses on the thing being moved.

He rubbed the cloth on the stain.
4
rub against each other

Mutual friction

Use this pattern when two things move against one another.

The wires rubbed against each other during the storm.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
rub on
She rubbed cream on her arms.
apply a substance to a surface
rub against
The dog rubbed against the sofa.
move with pressure or friction
rub on someone
His nervousness rubbed on the team.
nonstandard; the idiomatic expression is rub off on
rub against each other
The stones rubbed against each other.
two surfaces making contact and friction

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using rub on for physical friction

Rub on usually means applying something, not touching with friction.

✕ The branches rubbed on the wall all night. ✓ The branches rubbed against the wall all night.

Omitting the object after rub on

Rub on often needs the thing being applied.

✓ She rubbed sunscreen on her shoulders.

Confusing rub on with rub off on

For influence spreading to another person, use rub off on.

✕ His excitement rubbed on me. ✓ His excitement rubbed off on me.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The cat rubbed ___ my leg.
2. She rubbed lotion ___ her hands.
3. The cables rubbed ___ each other.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Can rub on mean apply?

Yes. Rub on commonly means to spread a substance onto a surface or body part.

What does rub against mean?

It describes contact with movement or friction between surfaces.

Is rub on someone correct for influence?

No. The usual expression is rub off on someone.

radiate-from-into-around-to, with "raise in" or "raise by"? rake in, through, across, at or over? rally in, around, to, behind or on? "rape by" or "rape in"? ratify by, in, on, according or as? ravage by, from, on, through or with? rave about, at, from, to or before? reach for, by, at, to or into? react to, with, in, by or like? read about, in, on, through or for? "realize in", "realize at" or "realize by"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account