phoned him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "phoned him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of making a phone call to a male person. Example: "I phoned him yesterday to discuss the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Ferere phoned him.

The New York Times

I phoned him.

The New York Times

She phoned him up.

The Guardian - Books

Then she phoned him one night.

The New Yorker

INTERVIEWER And you haven't phoned him?

The New York Times

Facebook staff emailed and phoned him.

The Guardian - Tech

A few days later, Steele phoned him.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Maynard did not arrive, she phoned him "50 times".

Independent

Chandler said Donnie Walsh, the Knicks' president, phoned him Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Zora phoned him early, with a dour tone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I phoned him up and he was a bit wary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a phone call, ensure the context clarifies the purpose or outcome of the conversation for better understanding. For instance, instead of just saying "She phoned him", specify "She phoned him to discuss the project deadline."

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions when describing phone calls. Instead of saying "He was phoned by her", use the active voice: "She phoned him". This makes the sentence more direct and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "phoned him" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of making a phone call to a male individual. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various narrative contexts, illustrating a direct means of communication. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "phoned him" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of calling a male person, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various situations. While alternatives like "called him" and "rang him" exist, "phoned him" is widely accepted and understood. To ensure clarity in writing, specify the purpose of the call rather than simply stating the action. Avoid passive voice for a more direct and engaging narrative. According to Ludwig, this phrase is a standard and reliable way to describe making a phone call.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

called him

This is the most direct and common synonym for "phoned him", indicating a phone conversation.

gave him a call

This alternative emphasizes the act of making a phone call to him.

rang him up

This is a more informal way to say "phoned him", common in British English.

telephoned him

This is a more formal and less frequently used synonym for "phoned him".

reached out to him by phone

This alternative highlights the effort to make contact with him via telephone.

contacted him via phone

This is a more general way of saying that he was contacted using a phone.

got in touch with him by phone

This phrase emphasizes establishing communication with him using a phone.

spoke to him on the phone

This alternative focuses on the act of speaking with him during the phone call.

had a phone conversation with him

This explicitly states that a conversation occurred via phone.

connected with him by phone

This suggests establishing a connection with him through a phone call.

FAQs

What does "phoned him" mean?

The phrase "phoned him" simply means that someone made a phone call to a male person. It indicates the action of calling someone on the telephone.

What are some alternatives to "phoned him"?

You can use alternatives like "called him", "rang him", or "gave him a call" to express the same meaning.

Is "phoned him" formal or informal?

"Phoned him" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although "called him" might be slightly more common in everyday conversation.

How can I use "phoned him" in a sentence?

You can use "phoned him" in a sentence like, "She "phoned him" to discuss the meeting" or "After the event, I "phoned him" to get his feedback".