by telephone

USAGE SUMMARY

"by telephone" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something was done or communicated through a telephone. Example: "She confirmed her appointment by telephone." In this sentence, "by telephone" clarifies that the confirmation was done through a phone call.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Larsen said by telephone.

The New York Times - Sports

offices and later by telephone.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Seggers said by telephone.

The New York Times

Reservations available only by telephone.

The New York Times - Arts

Speaking by telephone from Philadephia.

Independent

Both residents were reached by telephone.

The New York Times

He was invited by telephone, and accepted.

The New Yorker

Do you order prescription drugs by telephone?

The New York Times

"This is fantastic," Pelé said by telephone.

The New York Times - Sports

I reached her by telephone on Monday.

The New York Times

Mr. Erekat said the same by telephone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a communication method, "by telephone" is suitable for formal and informal contexts. Consider "via phone call" or "over the phone" for slightly more emphasis on the call itself.

Common error

Avoid using "by telephone" when the context implies a more modern method such as video conferencing. "By telephone" specifies an audio-only communication.

Linguistic Context

"By telephone" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it specifies the means or method by which an action is performed. For example, "He was interviewed by telephone."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by telephone" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify that something was communicated or done via a phone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with its usage being particularly frequent in news and media, and scientific literature. While alternatives like "over the phone" or "via phone call" exist, "by telephone" remains a versatile and widely understood option for describing communication methods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via phone call

This alternative specifies the method of communication as a phone call.

over the phone

This phrase emphasizes the medium of communication.

through a phone conversation

This alternative highlights the conversational nature of the communication.

using the telephone

This option is a more literal and slightly less common way to say "by telephone".

phoning

This is a shorter, more informal way to express the action of communicating by telephone.

calling

This alternative is a more concise way of indicating communication through a phone.

on the line

This suggests an active telephone connection.

telephonically

A more formal and less frequently used adverb.

through telephony

Focuses on the technology of telephone communication.

by cellphone

Specifies that the communication occurred via a cellular phone.

FAQs

How can I use "by telephone" in a sentence?

You can use "by telephone" to describe how communication occurred. For example, "The witness testified "by telephone"," indicating the testimony was given over a phone call.

What are some alternatives to saying "by telephone"?

Alternatives include "via phone call", "over the phone", or simply "calling", depending on the context and desired level of formality. For instance, you could say, "I contacted him "over the phone"".

Is "by telephone" formal or informal?

"By telephone" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, options like "phoning" or "calling" might be more suitable for informal situations.

What's the difference between "by telephone" and "by cellphone"?

"By telephone" is a general term for using a phone, while "by cellphone" specifies the use of a mobile or cellular phone. Choose "by cellphone" when you want to emphasize the use of a mobile device.