ENGLISH
REFERENCE

on the television

prep. phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

prep. phr.. This phrase means something is being shown or broadcast on a TV screen for people to watch.

prep. phr.. A prepositional phrase indicating that a program, performance, or person is being broadcast via the medium of television.


SIMPLE

There is a good movie on the television.

CONTEXTUAL

I saw an interview with the author on the television last night.

COMPLEX

The historic speech was broadcast simultaneously on the television and radio to reach the widest possible audience.

Usage

In modern, everyday speech, this is almost always shortened to just 'on TV'.

Teaching tip

Highlight the pattern of using the preposition 'on' for various media: on the radio, on the internet, on the phone, and on television.

Pitfall

I saw it in the television.I saw it on the television.Use the preposition 'on' for things broadcast or displayed on a screen or through a medium.

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