to be on screen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be on screen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is visible or displayed on a screen, such as in film, television, or computer displays. Example: "The main character is set to be on screen for the entire second act of the play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Expect us to be on screen".

The New York Times

"That has to be on screen.

The Guardian - Film

When they're together, Mr. Pattinson actually seems happy to be on screen: better yet, he doesn't pull a James Dean Lite, he delivers.

The New York Times

Happy to be on screen mainly in the UK and Australia, I was able to confine any cosmetic attention to my person within the bounds of normality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This relationship, and their attitude to it, is so crucial to our understanding of them that for me, at least, it needs to be on screen".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Repetitive coverage, they say, is warranted because the story needs to be on screen whenever the audience is ready to watch it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And the pay-off for off-screen power was always going to be on-screen compromise.

The Guardian

A quick decision is needed if the first movie is to be on screens in December 2012.

The New York Times

"My job was to get them more used to being on screen and being show runners, which is a hard thing to do because you have to keep a big vision of the show while focusing on your acting".

Huffington Post

It's amazing to realize that Cera, who seems to have been on-screen more or less uninterruptedly for the last few years, is only twenty-one years old.

The New Yorker

"Today we want to be on every screen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be on screen" when you want to emphasize the visual presence of a subject, object, or concept within a viewing medium, such as film, television, or digital displays. For instance, "The actor is expected to be on screen for most of the movie" highlights their visibility throughout the film.

Common error

Avoid using "to be on screen" without specifying the type of screen if the context is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "The data needs to be on screen", specify "The data needs to be on the computer screen" to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be on screen" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating the location or state of something being visible within a visual medium. As Ludwig suggests, it's used to describe the presence of subjects or objects in films, television, or digital interfaces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be on screen" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate visibility in a visual medium, with its primary function being to inform audiences about the content of a display. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts, most notably in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity by specifying the type of screen if necessary. Alternative expressions include ""to appear on screen"" or "to be displayed on screen", depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "to be on screen" serves as a practical and universally understood way to reference visibility in digital media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to appear on screen

Focuses on the act of becoming visible on a screen, rather than just being present.

to be displayed on screen

Emphasizes the act of showing something on a screen.

to be visible on screen

Highlights the quality of being able to be seen on a screen.

to be shown on screen

Focuses on the act of presenting or exhibiting something on a screen.

to feature on screen

Highlights the inclusion or showcasing of something on a screen.

to be broadcast on screen

Specifies that something is being transmitted for viewing on a screen.

to be presented on screen

Emphasizes the act of introducing or displaying something formally on a screen.

to be projected on screen

Focuses on the act of casting an image onto a screen.

to be filmed on screen

Implies that something was captured by a camera for viewing on a screen.

to be digitally rendered on screen

Specifies that something was created or processed using digital methods for display on a screen.

FAQs

How can I use "to be on screen" in a sentence?

You can use "to be on screen" to describe something that is visible on a display, such as "The product demo is expected "to appear on screen" during the presentation".

What's a more formal way to say "to be on screen"?

A more formal alternative to "to be on screen" might be "to be displayed on screen", particularly in technical or professional contexts.

Which is correct, "to be on screen" or "to be on the screen"?

"To be on screen" is generally preferred. "To be on the screen" is also grammatically correct, but it emphasizes a specific screen rather than the general medium.

What does it mean when something is described as "to be on screen"?

When something is described as "to be on screen", it means that it is visible or will be made visible on a viewing surface, whether it's a television, computer monitor, or movie screen.