ignition is on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ignition is on' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a car engine being turned on. For example: The car wouldn't start because the ignition was off, so I turned the key and the engine roared to life - the ignition was on.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The controls are very intuitive, and the showstopper is the roof: make sure the ignition is on, the van is not moving (that bit is crucial), the windows are open, the tap is not running (just because it makes a distracting noise), you are not having a shower, the side door is open (unless you listened to me about the windows) and press the central button.

The Guardian - Tech

A static law says that if the ignition is on and the battery isn't dead, the engine is running.

SEP

However, if we add a true static law saying that if the ignition is on and the engine isn't running the battery is dead, we get an anomaly.

SEP

Informally, this difficulty is this: we can conclude by contraposing our only static law that if the ignition is on and the engine isn't running, then the battery is dead.

SEP

But if we allow it to be used for prediction, then it is hard to see how to rule out an outcome of turn-on in which the ignition is on, the battery is dead, and the engine isn't running.

SEP

There is a fluent Ig tracking whether the ignition is on, a fluent Dead tracking whether the battery is dead, and a fluent Run tracking whether the engine is running.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Love said he tried to explain to the officer that the ignition was on a central console rather than the steering column.

The Guardian

"A star-shaped gas-discharge bulb, called a Light Engine, would be mounted somewhere out of the way and light any time the ignition was on," the magazine says.

The New York Times - Sports

There were sixty-five suicides that were identified where the primary method was not "hanging, strangulation, or suffocation" (35 where either CO poisoning was involved or the victim died in a car and it was specifically mentioned that the car ignition was on, 14 where the victim died in a fire, eight due to gunshot wounds, seven due to drowning; and one due to other poisoning).

Injury Epidemiology

The box, which continuously records and updates the data, would begin operating as soon as the car's ignition is switched on, and run on electricity from the car's battery.

The New York Times

Results show that thermal and chemical effects of the nanosecond spark on the ignition are of the same order with a slightly higher ignition efficiency for the chemical effect.

Combustion and Flame

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about vehicles, be precise about whether you mean the "ignition is on" (the electrical system is active) or the engine is running (combustion is happening).

Common error

Avoid using "ignition is on" when you actually mean the engine has successfully started. The ignition can be "on" without the engine running (e.g., when listening to the radio).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignition is on" typically functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the state of a vehicle's ignition system. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase denotes that the electrical systems of a vehicle are active, regardless of whether the engine is running.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ignition is on" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe the state of a vehicle's electrical system. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates that the electrical components of a vehicle are active. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to differentiate it from "engine is running", which implies the engine is actively combusting fuel and generating power. The phrase is frequently encountered in scientific, news, and general contexts, signifying its broad applicability. Paying attention to these nuances ensures clarity in both technical and everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignition is activated

Replaces "on" with "activated", focusing on the action of turning the ignition on.

ignition is engaged

Uses "engaged" to suggest the ignition system is actively running.

engine is running

Focuses on the result of the ignition being on, which is the engine's operation.

car is started

Indicates that the car has been turned on via the ignition.

vehicle is powered up

Emphasizes the powering on of the entire vehicle, not just the ignition.

system is initialized

Implies that the car's systems are starting, initiated by the ignition.

power is on

A general statement about the power state of the vehicle.

the key is in the ignition

Highlights the physical presence of the key in the ignition system.

the car is in operation

Describes the car as being in an active, working state.

the vehicle is live

Suggests the vehicle's electrical systems are active and potentially hazardous.

FAQs

How is "ignition is on" used in a sentence?

You can use "ignition is on" to describe a state where the car's electrical systems are active. For example, "The lights were left on because the "ignition is on"".

What does it mean when the ignition is on but the car won't start?

If the "ignition is on" but the car won't start, it indicates there might be a problem with the starter motor, battery, or fuel system. It means the electrical systems are active, but the engine isn't turning over.

What's the difference between "ignition is on" and "engine is running"?

"Ignition is on" means the electrical systems of the car are active, powered by the battery. "Engine is running" means that the combustion process has started and the engine is actively generating power to propel the vehicle. The "ignition is on" is a prerequisite for the engine to start.

Is it bad to leave the ignition on without the engine running?

Yes, leaving the "ignition is on" without the engine running for an extended period can drain the car battery, as the electrical systems are drawing power but not being recharged by the alternator.