had a phone message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a phone message" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to receiving or having received a message via phone, typically in a past context. Example: "Yesterday, I had a phone message from my friend asking about our plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Recently I had a phone message from a reference-checking firm about a colleague in another department.

The New York Times - Magazine

I found that I had a phone message from Scott at 9 32 and an e-mail from him at 9 42".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Ubben bought a $45 million stake in the company in early January 2002; by the end of that month, investigators interested in learning more about the timing of her ImClone trade had contacted Ms. Stewart's lawyers and she had altered a phone message from her broker in her assistant's computer, according to testimony at her trial.

The New York Times

I received him with some trepidation, for he had left a phone message that made me feel like the human equivalent of Three Mile Island.

The New York Times

I've left a phone message for and sent an e-mail message to Joanne McNabb, the chief of California's Office of Privacy Protection, seeking more clarification of the law.

The New York Times

On only his second day as a DJ on Xfm in 1998, Bob Geldof was informed his friend Ian Dury had died via a phone message from a "distressed" listener.

The Guardian

The other bag boys and I hopped into No. 41 any time we had to carry a phone message to a pro out on the course or retrieve an injured (or hopelessly drunk) member.

The New York Times - Sports

And Sarah said: 'We think so.'" Sarah and Kelly had picked up a phone message from a neighbour in the family's home town of Olympia, Washington State, conveying sympathy after hearing about "the tragedy" on television.

The Guardian

The founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia had never altered a phone message before, Ann Armstrong, her assistant testified.

Forbes

The argument had sprung from a phone message.

Huffington Post

"I have never gotten a phone message".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific language if the message was a voicemail or a text message for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "had a phone message" when you mean you actively listened to the message at that moment. Instead, say "I listened to a phone message" if the action is immediate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a phone message" primarily functions as a statement indicating the receipt or possession of a communication delivered via telephone. It describes a state of receiving information, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had a phone message" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the receipt of a message via telephone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is correct, consider alternatives like "received a voicemail" or "got a message on the phone" for greater clarity or informality. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context; it implies that the message was available for retrieval and does not necessarily mean it was actively listened to at that moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a voice mail

This alternative focuses on the specific type of phone message received, which is a voice recording.

listened to a voice message

Specifically refers to the action of listening to a voice recording that was left on the phone.

got a message on the phone

A more informal way of saying that a message was received via the phone.

was left a message

Focuses on the fact that someone else left the message for you to find.

checked my voicemail

Implies the action of accessing and reviewing messages left on a phone's voicemail system.

obtained a phone message

Focuses on the acquisition of the message.

retrieved a telephone message

More formal way to say that a message was obtained.

had a missed call

Implies someone called but didn't leave a message, focusing on the call event itself.

was notified by phone

Highlights the act of being informed through a phone communication.

received a communication

This is a more formal and general way of saying a message was received, not specific to the phone.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "had a phone message"?

You can use alternatives like "received a voice mail", "got a message on the phone", or "checked my voicemail" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had a phone message"?

Yes, "had a phone message" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that someone received a message via telephone. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

What's the difference between "had a phone message" and "left a phone message"?

"Had a phone message" indicates that you received the message, while "left a phone message" indicates that you were the one who left the message for someone else. They represent opposite sides of the communication.

How to use "had a phone message" in a sentence?

You can use "had a phone message" in sentences such as, "When I got home, I "had a phone message" from my boss about the meeting tomorrow". It implies the message was waiting for you to be listened to/read.