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TeacherJapan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
the TV or TV
1) watch TV
2) blankly stare at the TV
3) vacantly stare at the TV
I wonder why only 1) doesn't require "the." Could you help me figure this out?
2) blankly stare at the TV
3) vacantly stare at the TV
I wonder why only 1) doesn't require "the." Could you help me figure this out?
Top answer
Watching TV means you are watching the broadcast television programmes, watching the TV means you are looking at a particular TV set (and presumably the programme currently being shown, but not necessarily so).
- Watching TV means you are watching the broadcast television programmes, watching the TV means you are looking at a particular TV set (and presumably the programme currently being shown, but not necessarily so).
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5 Answers
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Watching TV means you are watching the broadcast television programmes, watching the TV means you are looking at a particular TV set (and presumably the programme currently being shown, but not necessarily so).
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Thank you Vic Z for great examples. So when I want to compare the nature of reading books wirh that of watching TV, is it better to say like this?
Reading involves a lot of effort. Blankly watching "TV" doesn't. ? instead of blankly watching "the" TV.
Reading involves a lot of effort. Blankly watching "TV" doesn't. ? instead of blankly watching "the" TV.
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Slightly maybe but we are talking about fine judgements here. To me either 'blankly staring at the TV' or 'mindlessly watching TV' sound the most natural, but others may have different views.
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