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We don't say they are on the tv when watching TV, and we don't say they are on the radio when listening to the radio. But if someone is, like me right now, using their computer, they are ON the computer.

I just find it a strange way of wording it. Is there a reason why the preposition on is collocated with computer?

Mari-Lou A
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Sem75
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    Relevant: "Preposition IN Vs Preposition ON when writing by an electronic device" There is some speculation there about the origins of this expression, but no clearly sourced answer. But WS2's comment does mention the related and older usage "work things out 'on' a mechanical calculator." I'd note that we also say someone is "on the phone." So computers are not unique. – herisson Aug 21 '16 at 20:49
  • By the way, welcome to the site! It seems to me that your question is a little vague (you don't specify what you mean by the word "why"). If you want to know the historical origins, this is a good place to ask (and I hope people will soon be able to tell you the answer). However, if you are still learning English and want more practical guidance about how to figure out which preposition to use in which circumstances, this question would be a better fit on the site for English Language Learners. Can you please edit your post to clarify what you want to learn? – herisson Aug 21 '16 at 20:55
  • Hi sumelic. First time posting on the site after lurking for a while but I'm (obviously) not up to date with rules regards where certain posts go. – Sem75 Aug 21 '16 at 20:57
  • I'm not sure how to make it clearer. If someone is watching Tv, they are watching TV. They're not ON the tv. If someone is listening to the radio, they're NOT on the radio. But if someone is, like me right now, using their computer, they are ON the computer. – Sem75 Aug 21 '16 at 20:59
  • Apologies btw. Hit enter too soon. – Sem75 Aug 21 '16 at 21:00
  • @sumelic Working out an answer was also accomplished *on* a slide rule. As a side note, we don't say that. Ones in our household are referred to as being *at* their computer(s) not atop them. – Stan Aug 21 '16 at 21:02
  • Just for the record, sumelic: English is my mother tongue (which doesn't sound right seeing as I'm Irish lol) so the ELL suggestion isn't needed. But thanks anyway. :) – Sem75 Aug 21 '16 at 21:06
  • @Sem75: OK then, sounds like this was indeed the right place to post your question. As I said, I hope you get a good answer! I haven't been able to find any information about this yet. – herisson Aug 21 '16 at 21:09
  • One could certainly say that they were *on* their computer when they are *at* their computer when connected to a network *online*. And even then, most (wifi?) networks don't use "lines". – Stan Aug 21 '16 at 21:10
  • @Stan But you can be ON the computer even if you're not connected to the internet. I just find it a strange way of wording it. – Sem75 Aug 21 '16 at 21:35
  • It's what it's always been, going back to 70s, if not earlier. Likely it's shortened from "working on the computer", the phrase that would have been used first. (Back in the 60s it was more likely to be called "feeding the monster" or some such, as interaction was done via decks of cards and an operator.) – Hot Licks Aug 21 '16 at 22:29
  • I suppose because unlike when watching TV, your hands are on the keyboard. – Dog Lover Aug 22 '16 at 03:27
  • You're also on the phone when talking to someone using a telephone. The main reason it wouldn't do to use on with tv and radio is of course because it means something else there: someone who's on the telly is being shown in a programme, not watching from the couch. And as @DogLover says, at least with a computer, you are actually resting part of you on part of the appliance. – Janus Bahs Jacquet Aug 22 '16 at 07:31
  • Had to read the question twice to realize you were referring to the person listening to the radio or watching TV. At first glance I instantly thought "Why, of course people are ON the radio"... – I'm with Monica Aug 22 '16 at 08:20
  • Could/Should an answer also suit on the PlayStation or on the Xbox? They seem similar but not all suggestions so far work in those cases? – k1eran Aug 22 '16 at 11:59

1 Answers1

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I would suggest that there's a silent working there, and so the sentence is a contraction, as in:

I'm (working) on my computer.

user191110
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