phone them

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very well, said the caller, he'd phone them on Monday.

The New Yorker

I was aware I had to phone them up.

The Guardian

Maybe to get people not to phone them?

The New York Times - Books

"It ain't rocket science," says Tobin. "We phone them every day.

The Guardian

When I phone them, I thought maybe it's not such a good idea, hahaha.

The Guardian - Music

We're encouraging everyone to tweet Air Mauritius and to phone them to stop this".

The Guardian

Independence sent its customers letters in October; it will phone them in November to discuss new options.

The Economist

"When you phone them, you can't get through and when you go to the website, it just crashes.

The Guardian - Money

He uses the telescope to steal the catcher's signs and the cell phone to phone them to the next batter.

The New York Times

Another option, if you know the name of the restaurant you will be going to, is to phone them in advance and make the request.

The New York Times

But come the end of the night, when my guests are looking inebriated and comfortable, I'll phone them a taxi rather than offer a bed for the night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to contact a specific group, using "phone them" is a straightforward and universally understood way to convey the message.

Common error

Ensure that the antecedent of "them" is clear to avoid confusion. If the context doesn't immediately identify who "them" refers to, rephrase to specify the group you're advising someone to call.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "phone them" functions as a verb phrase where "phone" is the verb indicating the action of making a telephone call, and "them" is the object pronoun referring to the recipients of the call. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "phone them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, instructing someone to make a phone call to a specified group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and versatile. Analysis of examples reveals its common occurrence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" contexts, indicating a generally neutral register. While alternatives like "call them" exist, "phone them" remains a clear and practical choice for everyday communication. It is crucial to maintain clarity regarding the pronoun "them" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Call them

More informal and direct.

Give them a call

Slightly more conversational and emphasizes the act of calling.

Ring them up

Informal, and more common in British English.

Get in touch with them by phone

More formal and explicit about the method of communication.

Contact them via telephone

Very formal and emphasizes the use of a telephone.

Reach out to them by phone

Emphasizes the effort to make contact.

Make a call to them

Focuses on the action of making a phone call.

Speak to them on the phone

Highlights the conversation aspect.

Telephone them

A more formal and less common way to say "phone them".

Call them on their mobile

Specifies that the contact should be made on their mobile phone.

FAQs

How can I use "phone them" in a sentence?

You can use "phone them" to instruct someone to make a phone call. For example, "If you have any questions, "phone them" directly".

What is a more formal way to say "phone them"?

A more formal alternative to "phone them" is "contact them via telephone", which emphasizes the use of a telephone for communication.

Is "phone them up" the same as "phone them"?

"Phone them up" is similar to "phone them", but it is more informal and conversational. Both phrases mean to make a phone call to someone.

What are some alternatives to "phone them" in British English?

In British English, you might use "ring them" or "give them a ring" as alternatives to "phone them". These phrases are generally considered informal.