leave him a message

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave him a message" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any written communication where you want to tell the reader to contact someone else (e.g. leave them a voice mail or a text message). For example, "If you need to reach him, leave him a message on his voicemail".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Leave him a message of a support on your voicemail".

The New Yorker

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 would leave him a message at some point during the day — he didn't answer the phone — and then, late at night, when I was no longer at my desk, he would leave a very long response on my voicemail.

The New Yorker

Whitney takes it upon herself to contact Morgan's dad, Ray Dixon, eventually managing to leave him a message.

BBC

So leave him a message after the beep...".

Huffington Post

One time I told him I wasn't able to leave him a message and he was like, "I don't play that shit".  .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Francona had left him a message, wishing him well.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Magazine

I did and she has left him a message!

The Guardian - Opinion

Lauren Grandcolas had failed to reach her husband Jack, but left him a message.

The Guardian

Ms. Abramovic, who is not known for her reticence, simply called and left him a message saying, "This is Marina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to contact another person, specify the preferred method (e.g., "leave him a message on WhatsApp") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "leave him a message" without specifying the platform or context. Provide sufficient detail, such as "leave him a message on his office phone", to ensure the message is received effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave him a message" functions as an imperative, instructing someone to perform an action. As Ludwig AI states, it's a usable phrase, found in different contextes to advice the reader to contact someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave him a message" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to instruct someone to communicate with another person indirectly, typically when a direct conversation isn't possible. The phrase is versatile, fitting well in both informal and professional settings, although specifying the communication medium (e.g., voicemail, text) enhances clarity. Common sources include news outlets and wikis, highlighting its broad applicability. While versatile, ensuring that context is provided will minimize ambiguity and maximize the likelihood of the message being well received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

send him a text

Implies using a text message instead of a voicemail.

email him

Suggests sending an email as a form of communication.

drop him a line

A more informal way of saying to send a message.

get in touch with him

A broader phrase that encompasses various communication methods.

reach out to him

Similar to 'get in touch' but slightly more formal.

contact him

A general term for reaching out to someone.

call him later

Suggests postponing the call and trying again later.

put a word in

Implies delivering a message through a third party.

relay the information

Focuses on conveying specific information.

pass along the message

Emphasizes the action of forwarding a message.

FAQs

How can I ask someone to contact another person?

You can use phrases like "get in touch with him", "contact him", or specifically ask them to "leave him a message".

What does it mean to "leave him a message"?

To "leave him a message" means to record a voicemail, send a text, or otherwise communicate something to someone who is not immediately available to respond.

Is it better to call or "leave him a message"?

It depends on the urgency. Calling might be better for immediate issues. However, if he's unavailable, "leaving him a message" ensures he receives the information later.

How formal is the phrase "leave him a message"?

The phrase "leave him a message" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and professional contexts.