on the other end of the line

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the other end of the line" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used in spoken and written communication to refer to the person on the other side of a phone call or other form of communication. Example: "I was on the phone with my boss, and on the other end of the line, I could hear the frustration in her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The calls connects, however no one picks up on the other end of the line.

Independent

Silence on the other end of the line.

The New York Times - Magazine

Who was on the other end of the line?

The New Yorker

There's silence on the other end of the line.

The Washington Post

His mother was on the other end of the line.

The New York Times

On the other end of the line was Donald Trump.

The Guardian

On the other end of the line, Schrieber's voice hardened.

The New Yorker

On the other end of the line was Peter Gabriel.

Independent

Years later, the phone would ring, and he'd be on the other end of the line.

The Guardian - Books

The person on the other end of the line apparently didn't believe him.

The New York Times

He heard hysterical laughter on the other end of the line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the other end of the line", ensure the context clearly indicates a phone call or other form of two-way communication. Avoid using it when referring to one-way communication, like reading a book.

Common error

Avoid using "on the other end of the line" to describe situations that do not involve direct, two-way communication. For instance, do not use this phrase to describe someone watching a broadcast on TV.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the other end of the line" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, typically indicating the location or identity of the person speaking in a phone call or other form of direct communication. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the other end of the line" is a common prepositional phrase used to identify the person participating in a remote conversation, primarily via telephone. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is primarily used in news and media contexts. While highly common, alternative phrases such as "at the receiving end" may be used depending on the nuance one wants to convey. When using the phrase, ensure a two-way communication context exists to prevent misapplication. Ludwig's analysis and plentiful examples highlight its versatility and reliability in describing remote interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the voice on the telephone

Emphasizes the auditory aspect of a phone conversation.

the other party on the phone

Directly indicates the other participant in a telephone conversation.

at the receiving end

Focuses on the act of receiving communication, not necessarily limited to phone calls.

the individual on the line

Slightly more formal way to refer to someone in a phone conversation.

the recipient of the call

More formal; emphasizes the role of receiving a phone call.

on the other side of the conversation

Broader; applies to any form of conversation, not just phone calls.

the caller

Refers specifically to the person initiating the phone call.

the person I was speaking to

General, but applicable if the context of a phone conversation is already established.

whoever answered the phone

Focuses on the act of answering, rather than the position in the conversation.

the interlocutor

Highly formal; refers to someone participating in a dialogue or conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "on the other end of the line" in a sentence?

You can use "on the other end of the line" to indicate who is speaking or reacting during a phone call. For example, "I told him the news, and he was silent "on the other end of the line"."

What's a less common way to say "on the other end of the line"?

While "on the other end of the line" is very common, you could use "at the receiving end" to denote a similar concept, although it's not specific to phone calls.

Is it correct to use "on the other end of the line" for video calls?

Yes, "on the other end of the line" can be used for video calls, as it still implies a direct connection and conversation with someone remotely. However, it might be more specific to say "on the other side of the screen".

What does it mean when someone is silent "on the other end of the line"?

Silence "on the other end of the line" typically indicates shock, contemplation, or disagreement. The specific meaning depends on the context of the conversation.