Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (2024)

What’s the difference between them?

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (1)

Log in

Meaning:

Log in is a term used to describe the process of entering a username and password to access a computer system, website, or application.

Examples:

1) I need to log in to my account to check my emails.

2) Please remember to log in to the website using your username and password.

3) I'm having trouble logging in to the system - can you help me?

Log on

Meaning:

To log on is to connect a network without a strict need to use credentials.

Examples:

1. I logged on the forum to discuss some news.

2. Just log on the Financial Times to read the article.

Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference

Log in

sign in

Log out

Log on

access

Log off

Tricks for mastery

Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Log in", "Log on".

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (2)

1. Log in: Refers to the process of entering specific credentials, such as a username and password, to access a system, website, or application.

2. Log on: Can be a more general term for connecting or accessing a system, which might not always require credentials.

3. Log in: 'In the system with specific info.'

4. Log on: 'On the network, easy and quick.'

Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words

Frequently asked questions

When to use the first word 'Log in'?

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (3)

The term 'Log in' is used when referring to the process of entering a computer system or website with a username and password. It is commonly used as a way of accessing one’s account, for example, to log in to one’s email account, or to log in to a social media platform.

When to use the second word 'Log on'?

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (4)

The term 'Log on' is very similar to 'Log in'. It can be used to describe the process of authenticating into a computer system or website without neccessarily using a username and password.

Do the words 'Log in' and 'Log on' have the same pronunciation?

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (5)

No, they are pronounced differently, depending on the preposition.

What are common mistakes associated with the words 'Log in', 'Log on'?

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (6)

One common mistake associated with the words 'Log in' and 'Log on' is that they are often used interchangeably. Although they can be used interchangeably, they are actually two distinct terms with different meanings.

Fill in the gaps to check yourself

1. I forgot my password, so I cant ___ to my email account.

2. When you first start your computer, youll need to ___ to the network.

3. Please ___ to our website to access exclusive content.

4. If you dont ___ to your account regularly, it might get deactivated.

5. For security reasons, after ten failed attempts to ___ , the account will be temporarily locked.

6. You can ___ the public Wi-Fi without entering any credentials.

1. log in

Explanation: Accessing an email account requires entering a username and password, which is associated with log in.

2. log on

Explanation: Connecting to a network, especially in the context of starting a computer, generally doesnt specify the need for credentials, making log on the more appropriate choice.

3. log in

Explanation: The phrase access exclusive content suggests the need to enter specific credentials (like a username and password), aligning with the term log in.

4. log in

Explanation: Accessing a personal account, which would typically require credentials, fits with log in.

5. log in

Explanation: The mention of failed attempts indicates the action of entering credentials, which aligns with log in.

6. log on

Explanation: The absence of the need to enter credentials, as implied in the sentence, fits with log on.

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List of Commonly Confused Words

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Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova (2024)

FAQs

Log in and Log on | Meaning, Examples & Difference | Promova? ›

1. Log in: Refers to the process of entering specific credentials, such as a username and password, to access a system, website, or application. 2. Log on: Can be a more general term for connecting or accessing a system, which might not always require credentials.

Do you log into or onto a computer? ›

Log in” is a phrasal verb meaning “connect to an electronic device, system, or app.” The preposition “to” is often used directly after the verb; “in” and “to” should be written as two separate words (e.g., “log in to the app to update privacy settings”).

Which is correct, logged in or logged on? ›

“Log on” is more commonly used when connecting to a network or server, like jumping in a chat room or jumping online to play a game of Fortnite or something. But the term “log in” is usually associated with directly accessing individual accounts or services like emails and such.

What does the term "log on" mean? ›

or log on. phrasal verb. When someone logs in or logs on, or logs into a computer system, they start using the system, usually by typing their name or identity code and a password.

Is it log into your account or login to your account? ›

In this case, to is a preposition that links the phrasal verb to the upcoming word. That is why the correct spelling is log in to not log into.

Should I say log on or log in? ›

Log in and log on are basically synonymous and interchangeable. They both refer to the act of signing into an account or system.

What is the difference between login and log in? ›

It is important to distinguish between the two, as 'log in' is used to describe the process of signing into a system, and 'login' is used to refer to the username or account name needed to access it. Additionally, it is important to note that 'log in' has two words, whereas 'login' is one word.

How do you use login in a sentence? ›

Examples of login
  1. Each team receives unique login credentials, where solutions can be submitted and feedback received. ...
  2. The message text was the word login; the l and the o letters were transmitted, but the system then crashed.

How do I log into an account? ›

Most websites' or services' login pages can be accessed by clicking a Log In or Sign In link somewhere on the home page (usually in the upper-right corner). Then you'll enter your email address (or other types of username) in the "Email" text field and your password in the "Password" text field.

How do you use logged in a sentence? ›

Examples of 'logged' in a sentence
  • Sifting through the reports logged in the last couple of weeks, he came across a tale that had previously gone unread. ...
  • The thing is I've just logged on and there are loads of replies for that ad we worked up for Chrissie. ...
  • She slouched in her chair and logged on to her internal e-mail.

How do you use the word log in? ›

Example: Please log in to gain access to our information. - "log in" is a verb referring to connecting to a database by introducing username and password. When do we use "login"? "Login" can be used both as a noun and as an adjective, with the meaning of the data that allows the connection to a system.

Why is it called log in? ›

The term login comes from the verb (to) log in and by analogy with the verb to clock in. Computer systems keep a log of users' access to the system. The term "log" comes from the chip log which was historically used to record distance traveled at sea and was recorded in a ship's log or logbook.

Is login a password? ›

User credentials are typically used in a username, and a password is referred to as a login. In a nutshell, logging in to a device, database, computer, account, or network system through a username and password is called login.

Do you log into or log onto a computer? ›

If you add another preposition, by the way, it changes nothing: You still “log on to” your computer, not “log onto.” “Log” still needs its adverb, and “onto” and “into” are prepositions. For now, the adverb “in” or “on” is separate in most dictionaries as well as in style and usage guides.

Is it correct to say login in? ›

Is it login or log in? Log in and login have only seen heavy use since personal computers became ubiquitous in the 1980s, but they are now so common that misusing them in your writing can cost you credibility. Log in (two words) should only be used as a verb. Login (one word) can be a noun or an adjective.

What does log stand for? ›

log: (in math) An abbreviation for logarithm. logarithm: The power (or exponent) to which one base number must be raised — multiplied by itself — to produce another number. For instance, in the base 10 system, 10 must be multiplied by 10 to produce 100. So the logarithm of 100, in a base 10 system, is 2.

Is it onto or into the computer? ›

With the verb ENTER, I would use INTO: "Please enter all these names and addresses into my Contacts." With a verb like DOWNLOAD, INSTALL or LOAD, I would use ONTO: "The problems started when I downloaded/installed/loaded this new program onto my computer." In summary, INTO is used with things that you type, and ONTO ...

Is it correct to say "log into"? ›

We should not combine a verb particle and a preposition into one word. Log into is incorrect. It's understandable why we have a tendency to combine the particle in and the preposition to making the phrase log into. It looks correct, but the meaning of the phrase has changed.

Is it log in or log into the system? ›

'Log in' is a phrasal verb meaning 'connect to an electronic device, system, or app'. The preposition 'to' is often used directly after the verb; 'in' and 'to' should be written as two separate words (e.g., 'log in to the app to update privacy settings').

Is it signing into or in to? ›

The phrase "sign into" is not standard English, except in the context of the law. For example, we can say "The bill was signed into law." However, when it comes to logging into websites or computer systems, the correct preposition to use is "sign in to".

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