leave me a message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave me a message" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it after you expect someone to provide you with a message (e.g. a voice mail or a message on an answering machine). For example, you could say: "If I'm not available, please leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If you're not going to be here," he told Clarissa, "please leave me a message on the answering machine at home and say when I should call".

The New Yorker

My friends and most businesses simply leave me a message, and I pick up the phone when and if I feel like talking.

The New York Times

I noticed that he'd come on during lunch and he wouldn't leave me a message, wouldn't leave me a voice mail".

The New York Times - Magazine

But it's something we've all had to get used to; in fact, I've come to love the sound of "I'm not at my desk right now, so leave me a message" because it means that the bad news about some workplace mix-up that I invariably have to communicate comes from a recording of my voice and not actually from me, which makes it, in some vague but important way, less my fault.

The Guardian - Money

She would not leave me a message on my answering machine because she did not want to be charged for a phone call.

TechCrunch

"Come on you wuss, leave me a message," McHale said to the camera.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The next morning he had left me a message: 'My Twitter was hacked.

The New York Times - Magazine

We stayed in touch, and in August he left me a message with terrible news.

The New York Times

"Joan Collins left me a message the other day to ask what she could do to support me," he said.

The New York Times

"Once, on my birthday, she left me a message wishing that I get a disease.

The New York Times - Health

Dr. James Billington, Librarian of Congress, had left me a message to call him at home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave me a message", ensure that the context makes clear where the message should be left, such as on a voicemail system, answering machine, or messaging app.

Common error

Don't assume everyone uses voicemail. Offer alternative contact methods such as text or email if possible, especially when the urgency is low. Saying "If I am not available, please leave me a message, or send an email", ensures the communication will be successful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave me a message" functions as an imperative, directly instructing the listener to take a specific action. It's a common request in situations where immediate communication isn't possible, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave me a message" serves as a simple and direct way to solicit communication when immediate interaction isn't possible. Grammatically correct and primarily used in informal contexts, it's a common request across various platforms, from voicemail to social media, as evidenced by Ludwig. While generally neutral in tone, its informality suggests caution in highly formal settings. While Ludwig confirms the correctness of the phrase, remember to consider the context and potential limitations of voicemail in modern communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Leave a message after the tone

Emphasizes the traditional voicemail instruction, focusing on the action following a specific signal.

Record your message

Focuses on the act of recording a voicemail.

Please leave your contact details

Directly asks for information that enables a return call or correspondence.

Send me a text

Requests a message via SMS, a modern alternative to voicemail.

Email me the details

Suggests using email for sending information, suitable for longer or more complex messages.

Call me back later

Indirectly implies leaving a message if the call isn't answered.

Message me on WhatsApp

Specifies a particular messaging platform for communication.

Send me a direct message

Requests a private message on a social media platform.

Drop me a line

Offers an informal way of saying "send me a message"

Get in touch with me

A broader request for communication, which could involve leaving a message.

FAQs

What's a polite way to ask someone to leave me a message?

You can politely ask someone to leave a message by saying, "Please "leave me a message" and I'll get back to you as soon as possible", or "If I'm unavailable, could you "leave me a message"?"

When is it appropriate to ask someone to leave a message?

It's appropriate when you're unavailable to answer immediately, such as when you're in a meeting, driving, or otherwise occupied. Asking someone to "leave me a message" allows them to convey their information without requiring your immediate attention.

What can I say instead of ""leave me a message""?

Alternatives include "leave a voicemail", "send me a text", or "email me" depending on the preferred method of communication.

Is ""leave me a message"" formal or informal?

"Leave me a message" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, you might say "Please leave a voicemail" or "Kindly provide your contact information so that I may return your call."