dial in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dial in" can be used in written English.
It typically refers to connecting to a conference call or other electronically-distanced meeting using a telephone number. For example, "We can all dial in to the conference call at 10am tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"If you left a message, I have to dial in, dial in my code," Ms. Cheong said.

The New York Times

Dial in a little mystery.

The New Yorker

People included Dial in a spread on "amazing" Americans.

The New Yorker

That said, they'll still dial in plenty often.

The New York Times

Arnett sat beside Dial in the car that night.

The New Yorker

He became a contributing editor of The Dial in 1918.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

There is also a remote dial-in option.

University of California, Berkeley

I bet he has no idea what the dial-in number is, or the PIN.

The New Yorker

The ISP maintains a pool of modems for their dial-in customers.

Stanford University

Since Mozambique currently offers only dial-in Internet connections, telephone access (wireless or wired) is essential.

Stanford University

He later held a dial-in phone conference for journalists with CBA chairman Catherine Livingstone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to join a conference call, clearly state the date, time, and "dial in" number, including any necessary access codes.

Common error

Avoid using "dial in" when you mean to describe physically adjusting a setting. "Dial in" typically refers to connecting to a remote call or system, not fine-tuning a machine's controls unless it's in a figurative way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dial in" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of connecting to a conference call or accessing a remote system, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dial in" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb that primarily refers to connecting to a conference call or setting up a system. According to Ludwig, this expression is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general online content. While the phrase is considered neutral in register, alternatives like "join a call" or "connect remotely" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. Avoid using "dial in" when referring to physical adjustments, as this can lead to confusion. It is advisable to provide clear instructions including date, time and access codes when asking someone to "dial in" to a meeting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

join a call

Focuses on the action of participating in a phone call, omitting the technical aspect of dialing.

phone in

Shortened version indicating participation via telephone.

connect remotely

Emphasizes the remote connection, suitable when the method of connection is not limited to phone calls.

participate by phone

Highlights the method of participation, specifying the use of a telephone.

attend virtually

Focuses on attending an event or meeting in a virtual environment.

call into a meeting

Rephrases the action of joining a meeting via a phone call.

tune into a conference

Emphasizes the act of listening or joining a conference call.

log in remotely

Highlights the act of accessing a system or meeting from a remote location.

access by phone

Focuses on accessing a service or event through a telephone connection.

set up

When used for complex machines with many configuration options it shares a similarity, emphasizing the configuration aspect.

FAQs

How do I use "dial in" in a sentence?

You can use "dial in" to describe joining a conference call, such as "Remember to dial in to the meeting at 2 PM". It can also refer to configuring something, like "We need to dial in the settings for the new equipment".

What's the difference between "dial in" and "call in"?

"Dial in" specifically refers to connecting to a meeting or system via a phone number. "Call in", although similar, can also broadly mean to report something by phone or make a phone call for various purposes.

What can I say instead of "dial in" to a meeting?

Alternatives include "join a call", "connect remotely", or "participate by phone" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "dial into" instead of "dial in"?

While "dial in" is more common and generally preferred, "dial into" might be used in some contexts, though it's less idiomatic. "Dial in" is generally accepted and more frequently used in formal and informal communications.