Why Use "on" in "on the radio"
The phrase OnTheRadio uses "on" because it indicates content or programs that are broadcasted.
In English, we use "on" to indicate that content is played or displayed on a particular medium or platform. For instance, when music, news, or programs are played on the radio, we say these contents are on the radio. This is due to the fact that radio is a media format, and we perceive the content as being played on the broadcasting platform. Similarly, we also say that television shows are on TV, movies are on the big screen, and articles on a website are on the website.
Why "on" is Used for "on the radio" and "on television"
It is a fixed expression.
You can think of "on" as meaning "on top of something". Just as in Chinese we say "在电视上" ("on TV") or "某某上电视了" ("someone appeared on TV"), if we used "in", it wouldn't quite make sense: "在电视里" ("in the TV") implies that a person could fit inside the TV, which isn’t accurate!
What's the Difference Between "in the radio" and "on the radio"?
In English, "in the radio" and "on the radio" have distinct meanings. In short, "in the radio" is generally not a correct expression, while "on the radio" refers to activities or statuses related to broadcasting or radio.
Firstly, "in the radio" is not a standard expression. We typically use the preposition "on" to describe content or activities occurring on a device or medium, such as "on the television" or "on the computer". Thus, when discussing radio, we say "on the radio" to indicate what is being played or listened to.
Secondly, "on the radio" is widely accepted because it aligns with our understanding of the medium of radio. Radio is a device that transmits sound signals through electromagnetic waves, and we usually receive these signals via a radio. So when we say, "I heard the news on the radio", we're describing information that was received from this radio device.
Finally, although "in the radio" is not commonly used, there might be instances where people use similar phrases in slang or casual spoken language, like "something is in the radio" to depict a message or event that is spreading quickly via radio. However, these usages are not standard English grammar and should be used cautiously.
In conclusion, "in the radio" is not a common or standard expression, while "on the radio" is used to describe activities or statuses related to broadcasting or radio. We should use the standard expression "on the radio" when referring to concepts associated with radio.
Why "on TV" but "on the radio"?
This distinction exists because "TV" is a tangible object, so to clarify, we say:
on TV refers to programs seen or heard on television.
on the TV indicates a physical location on the television set itself, while expressions without "the" usually imply something a bit different.
In contrast, "radio" refers to the radio waves, so there is no need to omit "the".
For instance, "on the book" and "in the book" have different preposition usages, since "book" is a concrete object.
Feel free to ask more questions! :)
This is a book ( ) radio A.on B.about Which should I choose? (Note: The answer suggests A, why?)
Answer: The person who created the question may not have noticed that "radio" here has no article, indicating it acts as an abstract noun, meaning "radio" in a general sense. Using "on" suggests "discussion", while "about" indicates "regarding". If you were referring to a book concerning radio, then "B" would be more appropriate.
If it were to express "there's a book on the radio", you would say: There is a book on the radio.
The answer is A, likely intending to convey this idea, but perhaps they accidentally omitted the definite article "the". Please verify it!
What Are the Uses and Differences Between "on" and "in"?
It's time to clarify for everyone! ✨(●’▽’●)✨. "On" typically refers to an object being in contact with the surface of another, while "in" relates to an object positioned inside another object. Here’s a summary table to give you a brief understanding:
After grasping the basics, let's explore the specific differences!
Difference 1: Physical Location
"On" usually indicates that an object is in contact with another's surface, while "in" relates to an object being within another.
Example:
① The book is on the table. (The book is on the table.)
② The pencil is in the drawer. (The pencil is in the drawer.)
Difference 2: Time Usage
"On" typically refers to specific dates or days, while "in" is used for seasons, months, years, or longer periods.
Example:
① Her birthday is on the 24th of June. (Her birthday is on June 24.)
② I will finish the work in a week. (I will complete the task in a week.)
Difference 3: Collocation Usage
"On" and "in" have different collocations when referring to devices or tools. For example, we often say "on television" or "on the radio", while we can say "on the screen" for computers or phones and "in the newspaper" or "in a car" for others.
Example:
① We saw the news on television. (We saw the news on TV.)
② The information was in the newspaper. (The information was in the newspaper.)
Difference 4: Usage in Abstract Concepts
"On" is used to indicate relevance to a specific topic, such as "on the topic" or "on the subject", while "in" denotes being in a certain state or situation, like "in love" or "in trouble".
Example:
① We are doing research on climate change. (We are researching climate change.)
② He is in trouble. (He is in trouble.)
Difference 5: Phrasal Usage
Both "on" and "in" have specific phrases, such as "based on", "rely on", and "in time", "in contrast".
Example:
① The movie is based on a true story. (The movie is based on a true story.)
② He arrived just in time. (He arrived just in time.)
For Fluent English Speakers: "I saw you on television"
The difference in translations of "on" and "in" is that "on" refers to being on the surface, while "in" refers to being inside.
"On television" is an idiomatic expression in English and should not be directly translated using Chinese logic. Similar to how “at home” is preferred rather than “in home” due to linguistic context.
You are correct; since you saw him on TV, past tense should be used: I saw you on TV.
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