i left him a message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I left him a message" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you have communicated something to someone who is not currently available to receive it directly. Example: "After our conversation, I left him a message to clarify my thoughts on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I left him a message: "Whoever gets this..

The New York Times - Magazine

So I left him a message saying, 'O.K., as a matter of fact you've spotted my hidden vanity.' So then Paul came on board".

The New York Times

"I left him a message about an hour ago," said John Gibbons, who managed Stairs with the Toronto Blue Jays for part of the last two seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

I left him a message on the way to the airport - "I can't do this anymore".

Huffington Post

[Afterwards] I left him a message and texted him, but I don't want to be pushing it, obviously, because he's going through a lot.

AIDS and Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When I leave him a message during the week, I get the pleasure of hearing about 10 bars of rap music on his answering machine, which seems to suffice for identification.

The New York Times

I left him a sympathetic message along with his ex-wife Karin who provided some of the more blood-curdling material in my book about the tough Orwellian Lehman culture.

Huffington Post

I'd left him a message, congratulating him on the MacArthur award, and he called back as I was leaving the hospital Friday.

Los Angeles Times

I had just left him a message and heard his voice on the machine...He was such a special and genuine person, so extraordinarily talented because he was so raw and honest with his feelings.

Huffington Post

I did and she has left him a message!

The Guardian - Opinion

While away, she left him a message: "I love you daddy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i left him a message", ensure the context clearly indicates the medium (voicemail, text, etc.) for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "i left him a message" without specifying the context, especially in formal communications. Indicate whether it was a voicemail, text message, or written note for better clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i left him a message" functions as a declarative statement expressing a completed action. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase communicates that the speaker attempted to contact someone but could only leave a communication for them to retrieve later.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i left him a message" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you attempted to contact someone but had to leave a communication for them. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates an action of communication when direct contact was not immediately feasible. While its register is generally neutral, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. Alternatives range from more formal options like "i contacted him" to informal ones like "i sent him a text". Using this phrase effectively involves ensuring clarity about the method of communication, and understanding its subtle differences from related phrases. The provided examples and analyses should help guide its appropriate usage in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i sent him a text

Specifies the communication method as a text message.

i messaged him

Modern and general, could be through various digital platforms.

i gave him a call and left a voicemail

More detailed, specifying a phone call and resulting voicemail.

i dropped him a line

More informal and general way to say you communicated with someone.

i informed him by leaving a note

Specifies the medium of communication as a note.

i communicated with him

General and formal, lacks the specificity of leaving a message.

i contacted him

Formal and broad, doesn't specify the method of communication.

i got in touch with him

Focuses on the act of making contact, not necessarily leaving a message.

i left word for him

More archaic, but implies leaving information.

i passed on the information

Focuses on the act of sharing information, not necessarily directly to the person.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "i left him a message" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "i contacted him" or "i communicated with him". These options are suitable for professional contexts.

What are some informal alternatives to "i left him a message"?

Informal options include "i messaged him", "i sent him a text", or "i dropped him a line".

What does it mean when someone says, "I left him a message"?

It means the speaker attempted to contact someone but could not reach them directly and instead conveyed information via a recorded or written communication.

Is there a difference between "i left him a message" and "i sent him a message"?

While both phrases indicate communication, "i left him a message" typically implies leaving a voicemail or note when direct contact wasn't possible. "i sent him a message" is broader and includes texts or emails.