Verifying the use of "on which"

Question

Hi.In naver's (online) dictionary, a definitional entries, among others listed, is this. 2. N-COUNTjavascript:flink("The") javascript:flink("format") of a piece of computer software or a musical recording is the type of equipment on which it is designed to be used or played. For example, possible formats for a musical recording are CD and cassette.Which word do you think a person should attach (if that is the right term for this) in order to form a pattern to sort of verify the correctness on the use of "on which"?1) It is designed to be used or played on the type of equipment2) It is designed to be used or played on the equipment3) It is designed to be used or played on equipment

Avangi · Accepted Answer

"Type" seems correct to me.

Avangi · Answer

I may have misunderstood your question. I think we're talking about a convention concerning the use of the word "format."

But in the end, you seem to have removed "format" from the mix.

My feeling is that "type of equipment" best goes with "format."

But I think "on which" works with all three of your proposed forms.

Goodman · Answer

Hi,

I have a tough time understanding the logic of this passage but this is how I see it:

A format is a certain way of how something is configured to carry out a function.

The format of a computer software and a musical recording to me are in no way related to an equipment which is hardware.

As far as the usage of "on which" in this given passage, I don't see the necessity of adding "on" in from of "which".

Avangi · Answer

In the usage "to format my hard drive," we're not speaking about the permanent configuration of a hardware design; but in my opinion, it's typical to describe "Beta" and "VHS" as two contrasting formats which are absolutely fixed.

Avangi · Answer

Similarly, in the 80's there were two different formats (types) of processors (CPU's) being used for personal computers, each with its own assembly language (machine language). Each of these was specific to the type of computer on which it was to be used. The 6502 was used on Apple, Tandy, Commodore, etc., and the 8086 was used on IBM (PC), Compaq, TI, etc. We're clearly talking hardware here.

Since the assembly languages differed, the software as well had to be specific; and games etc. had to be in the correct format, according to the computer on which they were to be used.

Goodman · Answer

<<<<2. N-COUNT
The format of a piece of computer software or a musical recording is the type of equipment on which it is designed to be used or played. For example, possible formats for a musical recording are CD and cassette.>>>>

This is what I saw as very unclear. I completely understand what "format" means. Beta and VHS are two of types of video recording formats in the 80's. Asia has PAL and North America has NTSC for video processing format. But they are not equipment. CD and Cassette or even 8-track in the 70's are different types of recording media, not equipment. However, An 8-track or Cassette player is the equipment "on which" these media can be played.

Or, "this is an 8-track player invented in the 70's which played the 8-track cartridge that has been absolete".

Avangi · Answer

He doesn't say the recording is the equipment. He says the format of the recording is [specific to] the type of equipment on which it is to be played.

As you can see, I found I needed to add "specific to" in order to make his sentence work. Do we still have a problem?

- A.

Edit. I think his sentence "possible formats for a musical recording are CD and cassette [and even 8-track]" is valid. The type of equipment on which these properly formatted recordings would be used would be there respective players.

I think that although it may be argued that a CD is not "equipment," clearly a cassette and an 8-track are mechanical devices. Even a CD is not pure media, as perhaps might have been said of the old vinyl discs, or a reel-to-reel tape.

Goodman · Answer

Avangi my friend,

Based on the context of the sentence, I found it troublingly confusing as it clearly said " musical recording is the type of equipment...."

<< He doesn't say the recording is the equipment. He says the format of the recording is [specific to] the type of equipment on which it is to be played.>>>

ent

You said, you had to add "specific to" to make it work. I still find it as clear as mud!

<< The type of equipment on which these properly formatted recordings would be used would be there respective players.>> Yes, a CD player or a cassette player would be qualified as equipment. This I agree! But that was not what the posted sentence said, unless I completely misinterpreted it!

Avangi · Answer

Ouch! I feel for you. Please don't hurt yourself!

I know what you mean. I've had a full day to let it sink in, and I think I understand what he means. I'm not saying I can successfully express it.

Sometimes I read it, and it sounds okay:

The format of a musical recording is the type of equipment
on which it is designed to be played.

Some people talk like this.

Question: What type of equipment do you play this on?
Answer: 8-track.
Reply: Oh. This cassette is in 8-track format.

As I recall, BTW, some of them were in "quad" format, and were played on different equipment.

The "8-track" format utilized the cassette as four pairs of stereo tracks. The "quad" format utilized the same basic cassette design, but was recorded as two sets of quad tracks.

Thus the same piece of hardware is "formatted" differently, according to the type of equipment it's going to be played on.

I remember my old Compaq had a 5-1/4" floppy drive, as did my Commodore 64. Since they had different processors, you had to specify which "pre-formatted" floppy's you wanted (which type of equipment it was going to be used on) - or you could buy "unformatted" floppy's and format them yourself. (The good-ol' days!)

Verifying the use of "on which"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions