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Sesquipedalian101 Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Television

Dear teacher,

I have some questions concerning the following sentences:

1. At night, I like to watch the television. (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/gramma ... e-or-watch)

2. When George arrived home, his sister was looking at TV. (pg. 86, Guide to Patterns and Usage in English by A.S.Hornby [1985 edition])

3. They spend a lot of time looking at the television. (Longman Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs by Rosemary Courtney [1989 edition].

Question 1: Why did the grammar say "the television"?
Question 2: Is "looking at (the) TV" old-fashioned?

Thank you for your help.

  

Top answer

Sesquipedalian101 Question 1: Why did the grammar say "the television"? I don't know. You'll have to ask Mr.

— CalifJim

  • Sesquipedalian101 Question 1: Why did the grammar say "the television"?
  • I don't know.
  • You'll have to ask Mr.
  • Hornby.
  • to watch television is the correct form.
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2 Answers
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Sesquipedalian101Question 1: Why did the grammar say "the television"?

I don't know. You'll have to ask Mr. Hornby.

... to watch television is the correct form.

Sesquipedalian101Question 2: Is "looking at (the) TV" old-fashioned?

I've never heard it, so to me it's not old-fashioned. It's just wrong.

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Sesquipedalian1011. At night, I like to watch the television.

This just sounds wrong to me, an East-coast American. It rings a bell, though. I am old enough to remember the early days of TV before the usage settled down, and I seem to remember hearing this. It is "watch television" now.

Sesquipedalian1012. When George arrived hom
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