phone him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "phone him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to make a phone call to a male individual. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please phone him for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fortunately, I never had to phone him for that reason.

The Guardian

Elia Suleiman emails me his home number with instructions to phone him at midday, his time, for an interview.

The Guardian - Film

"Phone him!

The Guardian - Film

"I'll phone him," she said.

The New Yorker

Maybe phone him.

The New Yorker

"I'll phone him if you can't".

The New Yorker

Obviously, she couldn't phone him at home.

The New Yorker

"I didn't phone him," he said.

The New York Times

"But I really never did phone him.

The New Yorker

"We must phone him," to offer sympathy and support.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Ian Collins was on LBC [he still is], me and Mackenzie Crook would get pissed and we would phone him up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to contact a male individual using a telephone, "phone him" is a straightforward and appropriate choice.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid using the phrasal verb "phone him" when a more direct verb like "telephone him" would be more appropriate. While "phone him" is perfectly acceptable, contexts like academic papers or formal reports may benefit from the increased formality of "telephone him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "phone him" functions primarily as a verb phrase instructing or describing the action of contacting a male individual by telephone. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

13%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "phone him" is a grammatically sound and widely used way to express contacting a male person via telephone. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, you might choose alternative phrasing like "call him" depending on the specific context or desired level of formality. Remember to avoid overuse in very formal contexts where "telephone him" could be more fitting. This phrase appears frequently in news and media, with some presence in academic settings, illustrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call him

A more general and commonly used alternative.

give him a call

Adds a sense of casualness and informality.

ring him

British English equivalent of "call him".

telephone him

A more formal and less common alternative.

contact him by phone

More descriptive and formal.

reach him by telephone

A formal and less direct way of saying "phone him".

get in touch with him by phone

Emphasizes establishing communication.

make a phone call to him

More verbose and emphasizes the action of calling.

connect with him via phone

A more modern, slightly business-oriented alternative.

speak to him on the phone

Focuses on the conversation rather than the act of calling.

FAQs

What does "phone him" mean?

The phrase "phone him" means to contact a male person by telephone.

What can I say instead of "phone him"?

Alternatives to "phone him" include "call him", "telephone him", or "give him a call", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it okay to use "phone him" in professional emails?

Yes, "phone him" is acceptable in professional emails, though "call him" might be considered slightly more common in American English. If you prefer a more formal tone, consider using "telephone him".

When is it better to use "telephone him" instead of "phone him"?

Use "telephone him" in very formal contexts, such as academic papers, legal documents, or when addressing someone with utmost respect. In most everyday situations, "phone him" or "call him" is perfectly suitable.