go on air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go on air" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to be broadcast on television, radio, or a streaming service. For example: The show is set to go on air next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Another new feature is the ability to go "on air" — essentially a fully public broadcast.

TechCrunch

I like the interaction and I like the programmes we're producing, and I'm even more proud that we're the ones who go on air and present our programmes and it's not adults doing it.

Unicef

Guests appearing on cable news shows can either be made to feel comfortable or uncomfortable immediately before they go on air, and there is no one who gets closer to the newsmakers and pundits then the makeup artists.

Huffington Post

Not one representative from the teaching or medical professions would go on air to explain why they never protested.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both were already made up to go on air.

The New Yorker

Maybe it will go on air this year!

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

One of our team will have at least one conversation with you before going on air.

BBC

Learn from Russia's Olympians by doping up on six espressos before going on air.

The Guardian

She said she had not seen all the items before going on air.

The Guardian

You would then go on-air quoting the New York Times, as if it had gathered information independently.

Huffington Post

I had to be available to go on-air at any time of day to surprise the listeners.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go on air" to describe the act of broadcasting a show, news segment, or other program. It implies a formal setting like television or radio.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions such as "in air" or "at air". The correct idiom is always "on air".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go on air" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of a broadcast. It specifies the action of beginning a transmission, typically on radio or television, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go on air" is a common and correct idiom used to describe the start of a broadcast on television or radio. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in news and media. While grammatically straightforward, remember to use the correct preposition ("on") to avoid errors. Alternative phrases like "go live" or "broadcast live" can be used interchangeably depending on the context. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various settings. Therefore, use "go on air" confidently when discussing the commencement of a broadcast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go live

Indicates a transition to a live broadcast mode.

broadcast live

Focuses on the act of transmitting a program or event in real-time.

start airing

Highlights the action of putting something into broadcast.

begin transmission

Emphasizes the start of a broadcast.

commence broadcasting

A more formal way of saying to start a broadcast.

appear on television

Highlights the visual aspect of being on TV.

be on the radio

Specifies the audio medium of radio.

take to the airwaves

Uses a more figurative expression for broadcasting.

present a show

Focuses on the act of hosting or presenting a program.

make an appearance

General term for appearing in public, including on TV or radio.

FAQs

What does "go on air" mean?

The expression "go on air" means to start broadcasting on television, radio, or a streaming service.

What can I say instead of "go on air"?

You can use alternatives like "go live", "broadcast live", or "begin transmission" depending on the context.

How to use "go on air" in a sentence?

You can say, "The new program will go on air next week", or "The president is scheduled to go on air tonight to address the nation".

Is "go on air" formal or informal?

"Go on air" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly used in professional or news-related discussions.