onstage
onstage — adverb
1. onto the part of a theatre stage the audience can see, or already in that visibl
onto the part of a theatre stage the audience can see, or already in that visible area.
The dancers ran onstage carrying paper lanterns for the festival scene.
movement pattern: run onstage
At the final note, Marcus stepped onstage to thank the orchestra.
movement pattern: step onstage
Smoke drifted onstage as the castle doors opened behind Lina.
Two extra chairs were wheeled onstage before the school debate began.
During the encore, the children rushed onstage with flowers for the singer.
- onto the stage
more explicit about movement; less compact than 'onstage'.
- before the audience
more formal and broader; it can be used outside theatre.
- in view
much broader; not limited to performance spaces.
文法句型
go/come/run/step + onstage
be + onstage
用法筆記
Often follows verbs of movement such as go, come, walk, step, and run. It can also describe props, smoke, or people already in the audience's line of sight, especially in stage directions.
常見錯誤
2. used about actors, singers, or speakers to mean while they are performing for an
used about actors, singers, or speakers to mean while they are performing for an audience, not in their ordinary lives.
Onstage, Priya speaks slowly and never drops her character's accent.
sentence-initial use contrasting performance with real life
Ken looks fearless onstage, but he worries for hours before every show.
look + adjective + onstage
Onstage, the comedian laughs loudly, even after a bad rehearsal.
The shy student became confident onstage during the spring concert.
Onstage, Rosa keeps a royal posture that disappears after the curtain falls.
- in performance
formal and broad; works for any staged presentation.
- in character
narrower; stresses staying inside a fictional role.
- performing
broader; does not always highlight the contrast with private life.
- offstage
describes the performer away from the audience.
- in private
broader; not limited to theatre or performance.
文法句型
Onstage, + performer + clause
look/feel/seem + adjective + onstage
用法筆記
Usually used when contrasting a performer's public manner with everyday behaviour. Distinguish from adverb sense 1, which is only about physical position on the stage.
常見錯誤
onstage — adjective
1. happening in the visible part of a theatre stage, or placed there for the audien
happening in the visible part of a theatre stage, or placed there for the audience to watch.
The onstage wedding cake was made of painted cardboard, not sugar.
onstage + noun: onstage wedding cake
Stagehands checked every onstage light before the audience entered.
onstage + noun: onstage light
An onstage fight broke a chair and shocked the front row.
The museum displayed the singer's onstage costumes beside old posters.
A hidden speaker played the baby's cry during the onstage hospital scene.
文法句型
onstage + noun
be + onstage
用法筆記
Most often comes before nouns for objects, actions, and effects in a performance, such as costumes, lights, fights, or accidents. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which describes a performer's stage manner rather than something physically on the stage.
常見錯誤
2. describes the qualities, expressions, or version of a performer that appear whil
describes the qualities, expressions, or version of a performer that appear while they are entertaining an audience.
Mina's onstage smile is warmer than her quiet face at home.
onstage + noun: onstage smile
Fans love Diego's onstage confidence, though he is gentle backstage.
onstage + noun: onstage confidence
The review praised the singer's onstage energy and sharp comic timing.
Teachers noticed Mina's onstage bravery long before she spoke in class.
An actor's onstage anger must disappear after the final bow.
- theatrical
often suggests a larger or more dramatic style, sometimes with a critical tone.
- in-character
narrower; mainly about staying true to a role.
- performing
broader; can describe the act of performing without stressing persona.
文法句型
onstage + noun (onstage presence / smile / confidence)
用法筆記
Usually modifies qualities such as presence, energy, confidence, smile, or anger. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which points to location or events on the stage rather than the performer's public persona.