lines of telephone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lines of telephone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple telephone connections or circuits, often in a technical or telecommunications context. Example: "The company installed additional lines of telephone to accommodate the growing number of employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

First lines of telephone dialogues.

The New Yorker

Synergies from such transactions should bolster the bottom lines of telephone service providers.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Beyond the swamp the road crossed a soybean field bordered by a long line of telephone poles.

The New Yorker

Turn right on Broadway and drive about 1 mile (1.6 km) till you see a street with a line of telephone poles running perpendicular to Broadway.

WikiHow

In its Timeport line of telephones, Motorola has already incorporated an OLED display made by Pioneer Electronics of Japan.

The Economist

The vaults had to be drilled out and removed largely by hand, because of the tangle of lines for telephone, electricity, water and fiber-optic connections — not to mention steam pipes — running under the street at varying depths.

The New York Times

Approximately 700 km of power lines and 2100 km of telephone lines were downed by the storm, severely disrupting communications.

Wikipedia

"We can provide the equivalent of one telephone line to thousands of telephones lines," Mr. Stewart said.

The New York Times

An observation balloon was reserved for messages by signal lamp from the front line, as insurance against the failure of telephone lines and message-runners.

Wikipedia

In addition, the land-line respondents were weighted to take account of the number of telephone lines into the residence, while the cellphone respondents were weighted according to whether they were reachable only by cellphone or also by land line.

The New York Times

Respondents in the land-line sample were also weighted to take account of the number of telephone lines into their residence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a simpler term like "telephone lines" or "phone lines" is more appropriate for your audience. These alternatives are more common.

Common error

Avoid using "lines of telephone" in casual conversation. Opt for more common terms like "phone lines" or "telephone lines" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of telephone" primarily functions as a noun phrase, referring to the physical connections or circuits enabling telephone communication. It can be used to describe the infrastructure or the quantity of telephone connections, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lines of telephone" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe telephone connections or circuits. Although correct, it is less common than alternatives like "telephone lines" or "phone lines". Ludwig's analysis suggests it's suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly when discussing infrastructure. While the phrase is valid, simpler terms are often favored for improved readability, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

telephone connections

Focuses on the physical connections rather than the infrastructure.

phone lines

A more common and informal way to refer to "lines of telephone".

telephone circuits

Emphasizes the electrical circuit aspect of the telephone connection.

telecommunication lines

A broader term encompassing various types of communication lines.

landline connections

Specifically refers to traditional, wired telephone connections.

telephone infrastructure

Highlights the overall system supporting telephone communication.

wired telephone network

Emphasizes the physical wiring of the telephone system.

telephone cables

Focuses on the physical cables used for telephone communication.

communication lines

A very general term that could include telephone lines among other types of lines.

telephonic communication channels

A more technical and formal way to describe "lines of telephone".

FAQs

What does "lines of telephone" mean?

The phrase "lines of telephone" refers to the physical connections or circuits that enable telephone communication. It can also refer to the number of telephone connections available or in use.

What's a more common way to say "lines of telephone"?

More common alternatives include "telephone lines" or "phone lines". These are generally preferred in most contexts.

Is "lines of telephone" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lines of telephone" is grammatically correct, but it's less frequently used than alternatives like "telephone lines".

How can I use "lines of telephone" in a sentence?

Example: "The storm damaged several "lines of telephone" in the region, disrupting communication." However, "telephone lines" would be more common.