The show is on a break












5















A show my mother is watching goes on a break (my mom was not there at that time). So I turned to another channel. So my mom asks me why had I changed the channel. So I say:





  1. The show is on a break.


  2. The show went on a break.





Is the use of :"on" natural?



And what about:





  1. So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)











share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

    – Kevin
    6 hours ago
















5















A show my mother is watching goes on a break (my mom was not there at that time). So I turned to another channel. So my mom asks me why had I changed the channel. So I say:





  1. The show is on a break.


  2. The show went on a break.





Is the use of :"on" natural?



And what about:





  1. So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)











share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

    – Kevin
    6 hours ago














5












5








5








A show my mother is watching goes on a break (my mom was not there at that time). So I turned to another channel. So my mom asks me why had I changed the channel. So I say:





  1. The show is on a break.


  2. The show went on a break.





Is the use of :"on" natural?



And what about:





  1. So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)











share|improve this question
















A show my mother is watching goes on a break (my mom was not there at that time). So I turned to another channel. So my mom asks me why had I changed the channel. So I say:





  1. The show is on a break.


  2. The show went on a break.





Is the use of :"on" natural?



And what about:





  1. So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)








word-usage






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 9 hours ago









userr2684291

2,58621531




2,58621531










asked 10 hours ago









It's about EnglishIt's about English

1566




1566








  • 2





    Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

    – Kevin
    6 hours ago














  • 2





    Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

    – Kevin
    6 hours ago








2




2





Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

– Kevin
6 hours ago





Is it on a commercial break (two or three minutes in the middle of a show), on holiday/vacation break (a week or two with no new episodes in the middle of a season), or on break between seasons (potentially months with no new eposodes)?

– Kevin
6 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















8














"A break" can mean a few things, but in this context, it normally means either a scheduled break in continuity or an interruption to normal continuity. When the break is defined or intentional then it is normal to say that you are "on" that break.



You give the example of a "commercial break" on TV which occur during programming to allow for commercials to be shown. These have a defined beginning and an end. They are often announced by saying "Let's take a break". During that time you could say that the program is "on a commercial break".



It is similar to the way people speak of vacations (which is also a "break" from work, or your normal routine) - you take a vacation, and during it you are spoken of as being "on vacation".



Note that there are other, more idiomatic ways of stating that a programme is currently taking a commercial break, such as "it's gone to commercial".






share|improve this answer
























  • Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    @It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

    – Astralbee
    9 hours ago











  • No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago













  • @It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

    – only_pro
    4 hours ago













  • @Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

    – Hearth
    24 mins ago



















5














It's correct, but not common in my experience. Phrases like




It's on commercial



It's on a commercial




are more common, I believe. That said, it's perfectly valid.






share|improve this answer
























  • And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago











  • Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

    – Maclain Anderson
    8 hours ago











  • So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago











  • will "go on a break" be used?

    – It's about English
    7 hours ago











  • @It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

    – David Rice
    7 hours ago



















0














In English English I'd probably say 'It's the adverts'. American English might say 'It's the break'.






share|improve this answer
























  • I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

    – phoog
    27 mins ago











Your Answer








StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});


}
});














draft saved

draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f196301%2fthe-show-is-on-a-break%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown

























3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









8














"A break" can mean a few things, but in this context, it normally means either a scheduled break in continuity or an interruption to normal continuity. When the break is defined or intentional then it is normal to say that you are "on" that break.



You give the example of a "commercial break" on TV which occur during programming to allow for commercials to be shown. These have a defined beginning and an end. They are often announced by saying "Let's take a break". During that time you could say that the program is "on a commercial break".



It is similar to the way people speak of vacations (which is also a "break" from work, or your normal routine) - you take a vacation, and during it you are spoken of as being "on vacation".



Note that there are other, more idiomatic ways of stating that a programme is currently taking a commercial break, such as "it's gone to commercial".






share|improve this answer
























  • Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    @It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

    – Astralbee
    9 hours ago











  • No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago













  • @It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

    – only_pro
    4 hours ago













  • @Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

    – Hearth
    24 mins ago
















8














"A break" can mean a few things, but in this context, it normally means either a scheduled break in continuity or an interruption to normal continuity. When the break is defined or intentional then it is normal to say that you are "on" that break.



You give the example of a "commercial break" on TV which occur during programming to allow for commercials to be shown. These have a defined beginning and an end. They are often announced by saying "Let's take a break". During that time you could say that the program is "on a commercial break".



It is similar to the way people speak of vacations (which is also a "break" from work, or your normal routine) - you take a vacation, and during it you are spoken of as being "on vacation".



Note that there are other, more idiomatic ways of stating that a programme is currently taking a commercial break, such as "it's gone to commercial".






share|improve this answer
























  • Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    @It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

    – Astralbee
    9 hours ago











  • No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago













  • @It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

    – only_pro
    4 hours ago













  • @Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

    – Hearth
    24 mins ago














8












8








8







"A break" can mean a few things, but in this context, it normally means either a scheduled break in continuity or an interruption to normal continuity. When the break is defined or intentional then it is normal to say that you are "on" that break.



You give the example of a "commercial break" on TV which occur during programming to allow for commercials to be shown. These have a defined beginning and an end. They are often announced by saying "Let's take a break". During that time you could say that the program is "on a commercial break".



It is similar to the way people speak of vacations (which is also a "break" from work, or your normal routine) - you take a vacation, and during it you are spoken of as being "on vacation".



Note that there are other, more idiomatic ways of stating that a programme is currently taking a commercial break, such as "it's gone to commercial".






share|improve this answer













"A break" can mean a few things, but in this context, it normally means either a scheduled break in continuity or an interruption to normal continuity. When the break is defined or intentional then it is normal to say that you are "on" that break.



You give the example of a "commercial break" on TV which occur during programming to allow for commercials to be shown. These have a defined beginning and an end. They are often announced by saying "Let's take a break". During that time you could say that the program is "on a commercial break".



It is similar to the way people speak of vacations (which is also a "break" from work, or your normal routine) - you take a vacation, and during it you are spoken of as being "on vacation".



Note that there are other, more idiomatic ways of stating that a programme is currently taking a commercial break, such as "it's gone to commercial".







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 9 hours ago









AstralbeeAstralbee

11.1k944




11.1k944













  • Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    @It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

    – Astralbee
    9 hours ago











  • No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago













  • @It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

    – only_pro
    4 hours ago













  • @Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

    – Hearth
    24 mins ago



















  • Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    @It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

    – Astralbee
    9 hours ago











  • No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago













  • @It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

    – only_pro
    4 hours ago













  • @Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

    – Hearth
    24 mins ago

















Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

– It's about English
9 hours ago





Is this right too:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this) @Astralbee

– It's about English
9 hours ago




1




1





@It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

– Astralbee
9 hours ago





@It'saboutEnglish Absolutely. "We'll be right back" is specifying that the upcoming break is scheduled and has a limit, and that the show will resume after the break. "Stick around" is an encouragement to stay tuned to the channel, likely to make you watch the commercials.

– Astralbee
9 hours ago













No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

– It's about English
8 hours ago







No I mean is the use of "go on a break" natural? @Astralbee

– It's about English
8 hours ago















@It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

– only_pro
4 hours ago







@It'saboutEnglish If you're talking about a commercial break, then no. A show "going on a break" always means the show itself is being taken off the air for some amount of time (such as weeks). If you mean going on a commercial break, then say going on a commercial break.

– only_pro
4 hours ago















@Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

– Hearth
24 mins ago





@Astralbee Worth noting that in my dialect (southern AmE) "it's gone to commercial" sounds extremely non-idiomatic. From your usage I'm guessing it's a BrE phrase.

– Hearth
24 mins ago













5














It's correct, but not common in my experience. Phrases like




It's on commercial



It's on a commercial




are more common, I believe. That said, it's perfectly valid.






share|improve this answer
























  • And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago











  • Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

    – Maclain Anderson
    8 hours ago











  • So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago











  • will "go on a break" be used?

    – It's about English
    7 hours ago











  • @It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

    – David Rice
    7 hours ago
















5














It's correct, but not common in my experience. Phrases like




It's on commercial



It's on a commercial




are more common, I believe. That said, it's perfectly valid.






share|improve this answer
























  • And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago











  • Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

    – Maclain Anderson
    8 hours ago











  • So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago











  • will "go on a break" be used?

    – It's about English
    7 hours ago











  • @It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

    – David Rice
    7 hours ago














5












5








5







It's correct, but not common in my experience. Phrases like




It's on commercial



It's on a commercial




are more common, I believe. That said, it's perfectly valid.






share|improve this answer













It's correct, but not common in my experience. Phrases like




It's on commercial



It's on a commercial




are more common, I believe. That said, it's perfectly valid.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 9 hours ago









Maclain AndersonMaclain Anderson

3662




3662













  • And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago











  • Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

    – Maclain Anderson
    8 hours ago











  • So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago











  • will "go on a break" be used?

    – It's about English
    7 hours ago











  • @It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

    – David Rice
    7 hours ago



















  • And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    9 hours ago











  • Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

    – Maclain Anderson
    8 hours ago











  • So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

    – It's about English
    8 hours ago











  • will "go on a break" be used?

    – It's about English
    7 hours ago











  • @It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

    – David Rice
    7 hours ago

















And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

– It's about English
9 hours ago





And what about:So it's time to go on a short break. Well be right back, so just stick around. (TV host says this)@Maclain Anderson

– It's about English
9 hours ago













Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

– Maclain Anderson
8 hours ago





Yes, it's very common for TV hosts to say 'on a break', like in your example. For some reason, it's just not as common for somebody watching TV to say that, but still just as natural sounding.

– Maclain Anderson
8 hours ago













So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

– It's about English
8 hours ago





So "go on a break " will be used,right?@Maclain Anderson

– It's about English
8 hours ago













will "go on a break" be used?

– It's about English
7 hours ago





will "go on a break" be used?

– It's about English
7 hours ago













@It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

– David Rice
7 hours ago





@It'saboutEnglish "on a break" is idiomatic for a much longer thing, for example, a show which airs once weekly would be "on a break" if it took a few weeks off between episodes. While you're right that the hosts will talk about taking a break, it's generally not a way that viewers refer to the commercial break.

– David Rice
7 hours ago











0














In English English I'd probably say 'It's the adverts'. American English might say 'It's the break'.






share|improve this answer
























  • I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

    – phoog
    27 mins ago
















0














In English English I'd probably say 'It's the adverts'. American English might say 'It's the break'.






share|improve this answer
























  • I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

    – phoog
    27 mins ago














0












0








0







In English English I'd probably say 'It's the adverts'. American English might say 'It's the break'.






share|improve this answer













In English English I'd probably say 'It's the adverts'. American English might say 'It's the break'.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 5 hours ago









Laurence PayneLaurence Payne

59924




59924













  • I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

    – phoog
    27 mins ago



















  • I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

    – phoog
    27 mins ago

















I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

– phoog
27 mins ago





I would be far more likely to say "it's the commercials." Broadcasters often used "commercial break" in the past, which has been shortened to "break," but I find that more something that broadcasters would say rather than viewers.

– phoog
27 mins ago


















draft saved

draft discarded




















































Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!


  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid



  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f196301%2fthe-show-is-on-a-break%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown





















































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown

































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown