Wednesday, November 28, 2012

word choice - "Being used in a disease" vs "being used on a disease"





The treatment didn’t work, because it was being used in/on a disease
that wasn’t a disease.




A native English speaker told me on was the correct choice.



But Google Books returns 0 results for used on a disease and 6 for used in a disease. So I'm confused. What's the correct usage and why?


Answer




I suggest you say: "treatment for a disease".



Ngram: for a disease vs in/on a disease.




  • The treatment didn't work, because it was (being used) for a disease that was not a disease.


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