answer phones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answer phones" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to job responsibilities or tasks involving responding to phone calls. Example: "As a receptionist, my main duty is to answer phones and greet visitors." Alternative expressions include "handle calls" and "respond to calls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Lizards can't answer phones.

The Guardian

Geico employees answer phones here.

The New York Times

There they answer phones and relay messages.

The Economist

Of course, many thousands of Indians continue to answer phones in this way.

The New York Times

At the busy offices of Free Hemp in Alaska, workers answer phones and hand out brochures.

The New York Times

Intern will answer phones, take requests, and follow through on such requests.

The New Yorker

"He doesn't respond, he doesn't answer phones, he doesn't communicate," Romanoff says.

The New York Times

It will take small-business owners allowing 16-year-olds to file papers and answer phones.

The New York Times

"Oh, well, I used to answer phones in the governor's office.

The Guardian

She said some of the workers did more than just answer phones.

The New York Times

Am I supposed to tell my kids, 'O.K., I'm off to answer phones at an insurance company'?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing job duties, use "answer phones" to clearly indicate the responsibility of handling incoming calls. It's a direct and easily understood phrase.

Common error

Don't use "answer phones" when referring to automated systems or voicemail. The phrase implies a human interaction, so reserve it for situations where a person is responding to calls.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answer phones" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of responding to telephone calls. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in describing job responsibilities, customer service, and general office tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "answer phones" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of responding to telephone calls. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI's examples, it appears frequently in news media, business contexts, and general writing, denoting a key responsibility in various roles. While simple, understanding its usage nuances, as well as its alternatives such as "take calls" or "handle phone calls", can help in clearer and more precise communication. Ludwig AI also suggests it is important to remember that "answer phones" should only be applied to humans not automated answering systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take calls

Focuses on the action of receiving calls.

handle phone calls

Emphasizes managing or dealing with calls effectively.

respond to telephone calls

Highlights the act of replying or reacting to calls.

manage incoming calls

Stresses the control and organization of incoming calls.

operate the switchboard

Refers to managing a system for routing phone calls.

staff the phones

Implies being responsible for answering phones as part of a job.

screen phone calls

Involves filtering and prioritizing calls.

take telephone messages

Focuses on recording messages when calls cannot be answered.

field calls

Implies handling and dealing with calls efficiently.

provide telephone support

Highlights offering assistance and information over the phone.

FAQs

What does it mean to "answer phones" in a job description?

In a job description, "answer phones" means that the employee is responsible for receiving and responding to incoming telephone calls, taking messages, and directing calls to the appropriate person or department.

What are some other ways to say "answer phones"?

You can use alternatives like "take calls", "handle phone calls", or "respond to telephone calls", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "answering phones" instead of "answer phones"?

Yes, "answering phones" is also correct. It's the gerund form and is often used to describe the continuous action of answering phones, such as in the phrase "My job involves answering phones all day."

What skills are needed to "answer phones" effectively?

Skills needed to "answer phones" effectively include good communication skills, active listening, patience, the ability to handle multiple tasks, and a professional and courteous manner.