How to use on top of in a sentence

She remembered her old boss as being “one of those organized, on-top-of-it people” and “a straight arrow.”

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All three expressions (on top, on the top, and at the top) are grammatical, with different meanings. None of them collocate with become. What you mean, I think, is either will come out on top or will get to the top. These two are not the same: on top means "on top of all others", whereas at/to the top means "among those at the top, not necessarily above them all".

– Colin Fine

May 4, 2020 at 11:00

An example of where at the top of X would work is if X is a building and you're talking about the roof. Things like hills and mountains would also work.

On simply means "above and touching". That's typically more appropriate for objects and small areas. For example, you would say "The candle is on top of the shelf".

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displayClassicSurvey}} {{/displayClassicSurvey}} The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opened Tuesday, claiming the title of world's highest hotel. Located on the top of Hong Kong's tallest building, the 488 meter tall International Commerce Centre, The Ritz-Carlton has an incredible vantage point of possibly the best panoramic views of Hong Kong. (Source)

Hello everyone, how are they different when they are used figuratively?

A dictionary says "on top of that" means "in addition to the bad thing already mentioned". Is it simply wrong to say "on the top of that" to mean the same thing?

Is it on top or on the top?

These two are not the same: on top means "on top of all others", whereas at/to the top means "among those at the top, not necessarily above them all".

What is the difference between on top of and at the top of?

There is a big difference between "on the top" and "at the top." When you are on the top, you are on something that is higher than everything else. For example, if you are standing on a ladder, then you are on the top of the ladder. When you are at the top, you have reached the highest point possible.

What is the difference between on on top on top of onto?

When you want to tell the location or position of an object, use on. The 'to' present in onto can be remembered as 'towards'. So, when you are talking about the movement of an object to/towards a particular location, use onto. If on is a part of a phrasal verb, use on to.

How do you use the phrase on top of?

If you are on top of or get on top of something that you are doing, you are dealing with it successfully. ... the government's inability to get on top of the situation.