Meaning & use
commentary box
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountablesport
A small room or booth at a sports ground where broadcasters sit to describe a game for radio or television.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a commentary box' or 'the commentary boxes'.
Patterns
- in the commentary box
- from the commentary box
- a commentary box at a stadium
The commentator waved to the crowd from the commentary box high above the pitch.
There are six commentary boxes along the top of the main stand.
She spent the whole match in the commentary box, describing every pass and tackle.
nounsingularsportinformal
The group of commentators working together during a broadcast, considered as a unit.
Grammar: Usually singular with 'the': 'The commentary box was divided about the decision.'
Patterns
- the commentary box said something
- the commentary box was divided
The commentary box was split over whether the goal should have stood.
According to the commentary box, the manager is likely to make a substitution soon.
Word forms
| plural | commentary boxes |
|---|
Common combinations
- from the commentary box
- You could see the whole stadium from the commentary box.
- in the commentary box
- The former player was sitting in the commentary box, ready to go on air.
- high above the pitch
- The commentary box is high above the pitch, so commentators get a clear view.
- a row of commentary boxes
- A row of commentary boxes runs along the back of the stand.
- the home commentary box
- The home commentary box was full of journalists from the local radio station.
Synonyms and how they differ
- press box
- A press box is for written journalists, while a commentary box is specifically for broadcasters describing the action.
- booth
- Booth is a general word for any small enclosed space; commentary box is the specific sports term.
Word family
- commentate verb
- To describe a sports event as it happens, usually for radio or television.
- commentator noun
- A person who commentates, especially on sports.
- commentary noun
- A spoken description of an event, especially a sports match.
Commonly confused: commentary box or commentary?
commentary box vs commentary
Commentary is the description itself; a commentary box is the place where it is given.
Practice
The radio team called the match from a small ______ at the top of the stadium.
Choose one answer.
A commentary box is the physical room or booth. 'Commentary' is the spoken description, 'commentator' is the person, and 'commentate' is the verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “commentary box”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.