television serial

USAGE SUMMARY

"television serial" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a television show that is episodic and has a continuing story arc, such as a soap opera or a drama series. Example sentence: "I'm really enjoying that new television serial on Netflix."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His first major part was in the BBC television serial, The Monocled Mutineer, in 1986.

Independent

Years ago I had the idea of adapting the novel as a film or television serial.

The Guardian - Books

Except: How much characterization can you actually compress into the television serial equivalent of 500 words or less?

The New York Times

In the mid-90s, the BBC invited me to write a four-part television serial based on the story.

The Guardian - Books

West returns to the long-running Australian television serial 13 years after her character was written out of it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A popular Egyptian television serial recently documented a retired ambassador's struggle to rescue his villa from the grasp of property developers.

The Economist

Even the most transitory television serial was written down before it was performed, and the script can be consulted in the files.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tensions that arise among the small cadre of contract laborers who populate this play would be enough to fuel a whole season of a television serial.

The New York Times

Julie Hesmondhalgh is best known for her award-winning performance as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street – the first transgender character in a television serial.

The Guardian

Even such a recent hit as the television serial Rome bows to Stoppard's attendant lords in its clueless centurion double act on the sidelines of imperial intrigue.

The Guardian

Nearer at hand, it stands midway between the foundation novel of Egyptian Arabic, Naguib Mahfouz's Zaqaq al Midaq (Midaq Alley, 1947) and the modern Egyptian television serial.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "television serial", consider specifying its genre (e.g., drama, comedy, mystery) to provide more context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "television serial" when referring to anthology series, where each episode features a different story and set of characters. A "television serial" has a continuous, overarching narrative that spans multiple episodes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "television serial" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of television program, characterized by its episodic and serialized narrative structure. Ludwig provides examples across different contexts, which confirms its role as a descriptive noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "television serial" is a noun phrase used to describe a television show with an ongoing, episodic storyline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent usage in diverse contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and wikis, indicating a neutral register. It's crucial to differentiate it from formats like mini-series or anthology series, as a "television serial" implies a continuous narrative. Alternatives include "tv series" and "episodic drama", offering slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tv series

Focuses on the episodic nature of television programming.

tv show

A more general term for television programming.

episodic drama

Highlights the dramatic and serialized aspects.

serialized program

Emphasizes the continuation of the story across episodes.

soap opera

Specifically refers to daytime dramas with ongoing storylines.

drama series

Highlights the dramatic aspect of a tv show.

mini-series

Denotes a tv program with a limited number of episodes.

television drama

Focuses on dramatic content broadcast on television.

prime-time series

Emphasizes that the program is aired during peak viewing times.

weekly drama

Indicates that the tv show airs once a week.

FAQs

What is a "television serial"?

A "television serial" is a television show that presents a continuing story, unfolding episode by episode, such as a soap opera or a drama series, where plotlines and character arcs extend across multiple episodes.

What's the difference between a "television serial" and a mini-series?

While both are episodic, a "television serial" typically has a long run with numerous seasons and episodes. A mini-series, by contrast, is a short, self-contained series with a predetermined number of episodes, often telling a complete story within that limited timeframe.

What can I say instead of "television serial"?

You can use alternatives like "tv series", "tv show", or "episodic drama" depending on the context.

Is "television serial" the same as a soap opera?

A soap opera is a type of "television serial", specifically characterized by melodramatic storylines, ensemble casts, and frequent airing schedules. Not all "television serials" are soap operas, as the term encompasses a broader range of serialized dramas and comedies.