house phone

USAGE SUMMARY

"house phone" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It refers to a telephone that is used within a house or household. Example: "I forgot my cell phone at home, so I had to use the house phone to call my friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No one's called the house phone in . . .

The New Yorker

We redirect the number to my house phone.

The New York Times

I identified myself on the hotel house phone & he said sure, come on up.

The New Yorker

"We have cellphone, cable, house phone," Mr. Rosado said, ticking off bills by way of explanation.

The New York Times

"I understand that, but do you think I could call her, then, on the house phone?

The New Yorker

The first morning the house phone rang & she was told that movingmen were bringing up a piano.

The New Yorker

She slides the house phone toward her, looks up Becky's room number, punches it in, then hands me the receiver.

The New Yorker

I thought you loved me, but you love the new house, phone and dog better".

The Guardian - Arts

"They call twice a day on the cellphone and twice on the house phone," he said.

The New York Times

Although, the venue did have its negatives – displayed when Huntsman's address was interrupted by a persistently ringing house phone.

The Guardian

Then he went back to the lobby, called the rooms on the house phone and discovered that both men were out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting "house phone" with mobile phones, clearly specify the feature you're highlighting, such as reliability during power outages.

Common error

In a world dominated by mobile phones, not everyone may be familiar with the term "house phone". To ensure clarity, especially with younger audiences, use more descriptive terms like "landline" or "home phone."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "house phone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig confirms, it denotes a telephone installed in a residence for general use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "house phone" is a common and grammatically sound term used to refer to a traditional telephone line in a residence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. While very common, its usage is increasingly contrasted with mobile phones. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the term serves to identify a specific type of telephone and is often used to discuss changes in communication technology. For clarity, especially with younger audiences, consider using alternative terms such as ""landline"" or ""home telephone"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

home phone

Shortened version of "home telephone", commonly used in informal contexts.

home telephone

Highlights the domestic setting of the telephone, similar to "house phone".

landline telephone

Combines both "landline" and "telephone" for clarity, specifying the type and function.

landline

Refers to a traditional phone line, emphasizing the physical connection rather than the location.

residential phone

More formal, indicating a phone service provided to a residence.

fixed-line phone

Similar to "wired phone", emphasizing the fixed connection to the network.

wired phone

Focuses on the physical connection of the phone, implying it is not wireless.

traditional phone

Highlights the conventional nature of the phone compared to mobile phones.

analog phone

Refers to the technology used by older phone systems, contrasting with digital phones.

corded phone

Emphasizes the presence of a physical cord connecting the handset to the base.

FAQs

What's another way to say "house phone"?

You can use terms like "landline", "home telephone", or "residential phone" depending on the context.

Is "house phone" the same as "landline"?

While similar, "house phone" emphasizes the location (a house), while "landline" refers to the physical connection to the phone network.

Why would someone still use a "house phone"?

Some people prefer "house phone" for its reliability during emergencies, better call quality, or simply out of habit. Additionally, in some regions, having a "landline" is still required for certain services.

Is it correct to say "house phone"?

Yes, "house phone" is a commonly understood term for a traditional telephone line in a home. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.