[Grammar] change

[Will17]

Hello!

Which is the right expression?:

"Change the channel" or "change channels" ?

"Change the subject" or "change subjects" ?

Thanks
W

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello!

Which is the right expression?:

"Change the channel" or "change channels" ?

"Change the subject" or "change subjects" ?

Thanks
W

They could all be right, depending on context.

 

[Will17]

Thank you.

If I say "oh please, change the channel!" or "Let's change the subject!" is it ok?

Thank you
W

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you.

If I say "oh please, change the channel!" or "Let's change the subject!" is it ok?

Thank you
W

Yes, that's fine.

 

[kenkk2]

Hello!

Which is the right expression?:

"Change the channel" or "change channels" ?

"Change the subject" or "change subjects" ?

Thanks
W

Not a teacher.
If you are interested in using THE, then the answers would depend on the situations.
If someone asks you an embarrassing question, just change the subject. This term uses subject in the sense of "a topic of conversation.
To change the channel is to switch to some other topic of conversation.
Let's change the channel here before there is a fight.

 

[Will17]

Yes, that's fine.

And in the same context could we say:

-I'm getting angry, let's change subjects!

-This programme is boring, change channels!

Thank you
W

 

[SoothingDave]

And in the same context could we say:

-I'm getting angry, let's change subjects!

-This programme is boring, change channels!

Thank you
W

Yes. There is no difference in meaning between "change channels" and "change the channel."

 

[Will17]

Yes. There is no difference in meaning between "change channels" and "change the channel."

Thank you Soothing Dave!

One more question:

Let's imagine I'm in a group and I want to join another group. Can I say: "I need to change the group" or will I have to say "I need to change groups".

Are these phrases interchangeable in this case?
Thanks
W

 

[SoothingDave]

In that case I would not say "the group" but "groups." Or maybe "change my group."

 

[Will17]

In that case I would not say "the group" but "groups." Or maybe "change my group."

Is there a rule?

Thank you

 

[bhaisahab]

Is there a rule?

Thank you

If you say "I want to change the group" it sounds like you want make changes to a particular group, its membership, its ideals etc.