be on
phr. v..phr. v.. to be happening or taking place, especially a show, a movie, or a scheduled event.
phr. v.. to be in progress or scheduled for broadcast or performance; often used with media, events, or appliances in an active state.
What time is the football match on?
There is a great new documentary on Channel 4 tonight at eight o'clock.
While the lights were on in the auditorium, the stage manager confirmed that the performance would be on despite the technical delays.
- Particles
- on
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- subject + be + on
usually used in the third person to describe events, TV shows, or lights.
this is a 'delexical' use of 'be'; help students by contrasting it with 'be off' for cancelled events or powered-down devices.
The movie is on at the cinema in 8 PM.The movie is on at the cinema at 8 PM.use the preposition 'at' for specific times, even when using the phrasal verb 'be on'.