the channel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the channel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a communication medium, a television channel, or a waterway. Example: "We need to find the right channel to communicate our message effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The channel was paralyzed.

The New York Times

No, says the channel.

The Economist

Then change the channel.

The New York Times

They began across the Channel.

The Economist

Sediment clogs the channel directly.

The Economist

The channel denies the accusation.

The New York Times

The man changes the channel.

The New Yorker

What about the Channel programme?

Independent

Whatever the channel, geographical conditions are important.

The Economist

The channel will continue showing American sports.

Independent

Turbulence in the channel was commensurately higher.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific television network, always capitalize "Channel" as it forms part of the proper noun (e.g. "The History Channel").

Common error

Avoid using "the channel" when a more specific term is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the channel was congested", specify "the communication channel was congested" or "the river channel was congested" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the channel" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it refers to a specific entity such as a television station or a waterway.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the channel" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that requires careful contextual awareness for precise meaning. It appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. Ludwig AI supports its correctness and identifies it as functioning as a noun phrase. Pay attention to capitalization when referring to proper names like "The History Channel". While generally neutral, more specific language may be warranted in formal or business contexts. Related alternatives include "the conduit" and "the medium". Ludwig's analysis affirms its versatility and widespread application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The conduit

Replaces "channel" with a synonym emphasizing the function of conveying something.

The conduit

Replaces "channel" with a synonym emphasizing the function of conveying something.

The medium

Focuses on the means of communication or transmission, a broader term than "channel".

The avenue

Highlights the path or route through which something is conveyed.

The route

Similar to "avenue", emphasizing the specific course or path.

The passage

Emphasizes the space or way through which something moves.

The means

Focuses on the method or resources used for a particular purpose.

The outlet

Highlights a way of expressing or making something known.

The pipeline

Suggests a structured system for delivering something continuously.

The stream

Implies a continuous flow or transmission.

FAQs

How is "the channel" used in a sentence?

"The channel" can refer to a TV station, a body of water, or a means of communication. For example, "I changed "the channel" to watch the news", or "The boat sailed through "the channel" between the islands".

What's a synonym for "the channel" when referring to communication?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "the channel" could be "the medium", "the avenue", or "the route". These alternatives emphasize the means of conveying information.

When should I capitalize "channel" in "the channel"?

Capitalize "Channel" when it's part of a proper name, such as a TV station name (e.g. "The Discovery Channel") or a geographic location (e.g. "The English Channel"). Otherwise, use lowercase.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "the channel"?

While grammatically correct, using "the channel" might be too vague. Ensure the context makes it clear what "channel" refers to, or use a more specific term like "the communication channel" or "the drainage channel".