on the radio

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the radio" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is broadcast or aired on the radio. For example, "I heard a report on the radio that the election results had been announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once on the radio.

The New York Times

"On the radio?

Independent

Some began on the radio.

The New York Times

We turned on the radio.

The New York Times

It was on the radio.

Independent

Sharen turned on the radio.

The Guardian

Then I turned on the radio".

The New York Times

On the radio or on Spotify?

The Economist

He got on the radio, talking.

The New Yorker

But she says this on the radio.

The New York Times - Tech

The voices on the radio roared ecstatically.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the radio" when specifying that something was transmitted or heard through radio broadcasts. For instance, "I heard the news report "on the radio" this morning."

Common error

Avoid using "on the radio" when referring to content from other audio sources. For example, do not say "I heard it "on the radio"" if you heard it on a podcast or streaming service.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the radio" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by indicating where something was heard or broadcast. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the radio" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that specifies audio content broadcast via radio, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is primarily found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. While alternatives like "broadcasted on air" and "heard on the airwaves" exist, "on the radio" remains the most common and direct way to indicate radio broadcasting. For optimal use, remember to reserve it specifically for radio content, distinguishing it from other audio sources like podcasts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the air

Shortened version referring to being actively broadcast.

airing on the radio station

Specifies the location of the broadcast.

heard on the airwaves

Emphasizes the medium through which the sound is received.

featured on the radio program

Indicates a specific show where the content appears.

broadcasted on air

Focuses on the act of broadcasting, emphasizing transmission method.

available on radio

Highlights the availability of content.

transmitted over the radio

Highlights the action of transmitting information.

via radio broadcast

Formalizes the method of communication.

playing on the wireless

Uses a more antiquated term for radio, 'the wireless'.

communicated by radio

Focuses on the act of communicating.

FAQs

How can I use "on the radio" in a sentence?

Use "on the radio" to indicate something being broadcast. For example, "The president's speech was "broadcast on the radio"".

What are some alternatives to saying "on the radio"?

You can use alternatives like "broadcasted on air", or "heard on the airwaves" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in the radio" instead of "on the radio"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "on". Saying "in the radio" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "on the radio".

What's the difference between "on the radio" and "on the podcast"?

"On the radio" refers to content broadcast via traditional radio waves. "On the podcast" refers to content distributed digitally via podcast platforms, thus distinguishing their mode of distribution.