Why do you just 'watch TV' when you can 'listen to the radio'?

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar
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For starters, let me get this straight.

You native speakers usually say, 'listen to the radio', not 'listen to radio',
and 'watch TV', not 'watch the TV', except for very unusual cases, I think.

If so, let me ask you something.

I would categorize TV, radio, refrigerator, and microwave into one group
- household electrical appliances.

Let me pick out two of them - TV and radio.
My question is, why people just say 'watch TV'
when they say 'listen to the radio' with the definite article between 'to' and 'radio'.

If it's 'watch TV', not 'watch the TV',
then I think, in the same vein, it should be 'listen to radio', not 'listen to THE radio.'

Is there any logical reason for that or it's just force of habit?
Do kids in English-spoken countries sometimes ask adults
which is correct and grown-ups need to teach them what is a right expression?

I basically see no major difference between TV and radio,
and it's puzzling to see only 'radio' is used with 'the', and not TV.

If it's just their habit, they must've had some trouble not knowing
which is right when they had to mention it for the first time in their lives.
Not really?

Simply put, why do you need 'the' when you say 'listen to the radio'
while there seems to be no need to use 'the' in saying 'watch TV'?

Could you please help me out?
Thank you.

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Type: Question • Score: 3 • Views: 1,110 • Replies: 5

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View best answer, chosen by SMickey

@SMickey,

It could be an idiomatic expression.

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@SMickey,

Quote:

You native speakers usually say, 'listen to the radio', not 'listen to radio',
and 'watch TV', not 'watch the TV', except for very unusual cases, I think.

This is not the case here. Native speakers would say it either way here in USA/NorthAmerica.

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Sometimes I watch the radio. One never knows when a radio will decide to walk off.

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@SMickey,

Quote:

For starters, let me get this straight.
You native speakers usually say, 'listen to the radio', not 'listen to radio',
and 'watch TV', not 'watch the TV', except for very unusual cases, I think.

If so, let me ask you something.

For starters, then, let's get this straight: native speakers use a variety of ways of expressing ideas. There is often no single correct or preferred way of saying something. To take your example, people can say they watch TV, they watch the TV, they look at TV (many people, especially outside the USA, say "television' and not 'TV'.)

Quote:

Do kids in English-spoken countries sometimes ask adults
which is correct and grown-ups need to teach them what is a right expression?

Kids may ask their parents or teachers to explain correct usage, but they also learn by having conversations, reading and listening.

Quote:

I would categorize TV, radio, refrigerator, and microwave into one group
- household electrical appliances.

I would further classify TV and radio sets as entertainment devices, and refrigerators and microwave ovens as food-related kitchen appliances. In Britain, and I suspect elsewhere, TVs, radios, hi-fis, etc are "black goods" and cookers, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, microwave ovens, etc are "white goods". My point is that there are many possible classifications.

Quote:

I basically see no major difference between TV and radio,

I can see at least on difference: a radio set delivers sounds, but has no sound of its own (it is silent when switched off) but a television set, which delivers visual material, has an appearance (shape, colour, etc) even when it is switched off.

Quote:

Simply put, why do you need 'the' when you say 'listen to the radio'
while there seems to be no need to use 'the' in saying 'watch TV'?

You are mistaken here, as previously pointed out.

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@Tes yeux noirs,

There seems to be no better explanation than yours.
I find it very helpful. I appreciate it.
Thank you so much.

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Why do you just 'watch TV' when you can 'listen to the radio'?

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