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by zerogreen on August 22nd, 2003

zerogreen

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Why are you IN a movie, but ON TV?

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  • by DOSJockey382 on September 5th, 2003

    DOSJockey382

    The answer to your question is usage. Usage is how words are used in a given context. There are no mandates in English grammar that specify on and in must be used as they are in these instances. Why we say "in a movie" and "on TV" is merely the way the language has developed over time. Both are grammatically correct, but the prepositions in these phrases are not exclusively correct. Any arguments for why on and in are not interchangable in these instances will most likely employ rationalizations about how the phrases relate to context which is the realm of usage, not strict grammar. Context is important as it gives us a frame of reference for meaning, but the strict rules of English grammar may allow for the same thing to be said in many different ways, but the context of usage may require that certain meanings be phrased in a specific way so that the meaning is clear.

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