hotline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hotline' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'hotline' when referring to a direct line of communication (often a phone line) provided by a company or organization for customers to quickly and easily obtain assistance. Example sentence: The bank has set up a hotline for customers to speak with a representative about their account inquiries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not to mention the apparent contradiction of cancelling the citizenship of those already fighting overseas so they don't come back at the same time as Australians are being urged to call the national security hotline with information about anyone planning to travel to the conflict zones so they can be prevented from leaving.

The Guardian

The document makes frequent reference to the Tell Mama hotline, the pioneering initiative for recording Islamophobic crimes and incidents, which has been praised by ministers, for monitoring anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK.

The Guardian

In 2011, a Californian user had her apartment trashed, leading to Airbnb (perhaps belatedly) offering a host guarantee and a 24-hour customer service hotline.

The Guardian - Travel

Wam's power is extremely limited: it in effect has a hotline to Twitter, to escalate complaints that it has verified; it will also compile statistics on how well the service is handling them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crimestoppers is circulating descriptions of British suspects believed to be on the Costa del Sol and urging law-abiding expats to shop their criminal neighbours with impunity by ringing the confidential hotline set up as part of a three-month pilot project, Operation Captura.

The Guardian

The rightwing press has so far been thwarted in its efforts to find the stone, despite the Sun newspaper setting up a dedicated "Ed Stone hotline".

The Guardian

On Sunday, the government announced that an extra $4m will be delivered to domestic and sexual violence hotline 1800RESPECT, representing a 30% increase in funding over two years.

The Guardian

However, the Observer understands that government funding for the hotline appears not to have been renewed.

The Guardian

(They reported him to the national security hotline).

The Guardian

Currently FIFA's hotline which goes directly to an investigator does not inspire trust or help people in lower leagues.

The Economist

The factories' workers will get safety training and a hotline to report any worries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hotline", consider the context to determine if an alternative like "helpline" or "support line" might be more appropriate to convey the specific function of the service.

Common error

Avoid using "hotline" in very informal situations where a simple "phone number" or "contact" would suffice. Overusing formal terms can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hotline" is as a noun, typically referring to a direct telephone line established for specific purposes like customer support or emergencies. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hotline" is a common noun referring to a direct phone line for immediate assistance or information. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely usable in English. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, "hotline" serves to inform about readily available communication channels. While generally neutral, alternatives such as "helpline" or "support line" may be more apt depending on the specific communication’s purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpline

Replaces "hotline" with a focus on providing help and support, rather than just immediate communication.

support line

Emphasizes the support aspect of the service provided by the "hotline".

emergency number

Highlights the emergency nature of the "hotline", suitable when immediate assistance is crucial.

crisis line

Similar to emergency number but suggests a focus on dealing with crisis situations.

information line

Focuses on providing information, suitable when the primary purpose is to answer questions.

customer service line

Highlights the customer service aspect of the "hotline", appropriate for business contexts.

advice line

Indicates that the "hotline" offers advice and guidance.

direct line

Emphasizes the direct connection provided by the "hotline", removing the implication of immediate assistance.

dedicated phone line

Stresses the exclusivity and specific purpose of the "hotline".

rapid response line

Implies a quick and efficient response from the service, different from simply immediate.

FAQs

How can I use "hotline" in a sentence?

You can use "hotline" to describe a direct phone line for immediate assistance, like: "The company set up a "hotline" for customer support."

What are some alternatives to "hotline"?

Depending on the context, you could use "helpline", "support line", or "emergency number" instead of "hotline".

Is "hotline" formal or informal?

"Hotline" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

What is the difference between a "hotline" and a "helpline"?

While both provide assistance, a "hotline" often implies a more immediate or urgent response, whereas a "helpline" focuses on providing general help and support.