on TV/on the TV

[Winwin2011]

1. The storm hit Myconville early this morning. Come and see the pictures on the TV.

2.Did you see the news on TV yesterday?


Referring to the above sentences, should we use 'the' or leave out 'the' when talking about TV?

Thank you.

[Rover_KE]

I don't suppose it makes much difference to anybody.

Rover

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=Winwin2011;827994]1. The storm hit Myconville early this morning. Come and see the pictures on the TV.

2.Did you see the news on TV yesterday?


should we use 'the' or leave out 'the' when talking about TV?


NOT A TEACHER


(1) The teacher has given us an excellent answer.

(2) Here is a "rule" that some native speakers use:

Do not use the definite article if you are referring to the medium of communication; do use the definite article if you are referring to the television set.

(3) Thus, many people might say:

I don't read newspapers. I get my news on TV.
I plan to watch the 2012 London Olympics on TV.
There's a good movie on TV tonight.

(4) And everybody would say:

I'm taking the TV to the repair shop.
Don't put your coffee cup on the TV.
Could you please turn down the sound on the TV?

(5) Let's look at your sentences:

(a) I think (only my opinion) that most native speakers would say:

Did you see the news on TV yesterday? (I think that you are definitely referring to television as a medium of communication, not to the television set.)

(b) Your first sentence is a little more difficult. I think that it would be "correct" to use the definite article because the speaker in your sentence seems to be referring to the actual television set: Hurry up! Hurry up! Look at the pictures on [the screen of] the television set. Aren't they great?!

[Winwin2011]

[QUOTE=TheParser;828114]

1. The storm hit Myconville early this morning. Come and see the pictures on the TV.


(b) Your first sentence is a little more difficult. I think that it would be "correct" to use the definite article because the speaker in your sentence seems to be referring to the actual television set: Hurry up! Hurry up! Look at the pictures on [the screen of] the television set. Aren't they great?!

Thanks a lot TheParser.

Your answer is very detailed and great indeed! The oringinal conversation is follows:-

Shelby: What's the news about Hurricane George? They said it was close to Myconville the last I heard.
Odette: You're out of date. It hit Myconville early this morning. Come and see the pictures on the TV.

Look at the pictures on [the screen of] the television set. Aren't they great?

Yes, your answer is great. On the TV=the screen of the TV set.