phoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'phoning' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing the act of using a telephone to communicate, such as, "She enjoys phoning her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps aircraft will offer "phoning" and "non-phoning" cabins.

The Economist

When I was a Guardian reporter in Belfast, it was as well to allow plenty of time when phoning him, for he had a fund of stories.

The Guardian

"There will be a representative from the BBC in every constituency, phoning the results through.

The Guardian

Most cheese shops are set up to send even smaller pieces by post; just don't expect them to thank you for phoning 24 hours before the feast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Because first the 29 mothers did as told: registering as homeless, spending days phoning all the landlords on the three-page sheet given to them as the sole help by the council.

The Guardian - Opinion

Write a plan before phoning parents.

The Guardian

Other politicians retreat from the people huddling for "corner meetings" indoors, phoning speeches to small gatherings of voters and relying on television and social media.

The Economist

Wedsure does insure against cold feet, but its policy will pay out only if the wedding is cancelled more than 12 months before it is due to take place, thereby guarding against fiancés (or their parents) phoning the broker once the relationship is already on the rocks.This does not mean policies are useless.

The Economist

In such cases, the bank will request more information from an enrollee, which may mean phoning her up.

The Economist

First results from the encounter, announced at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Pasadena, suggest the asteroid, small though it is, is covered with a layer of dust.In this section Scientists behaving badly A dusty neighbour Making new things Phoning ET Reprints.

The Economist

"Can the government be trusted to take decisive action against [property] developers one day," she asks, "but be phoning them up for sizeable donations the next?" Even a property tycoon, Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, has spoken out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "telephoning" instead of "phoning" for a more professional tone. However, "phoning" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "phoning" in highly formal or technical documents where a more precise term like "communicating via telephone" might be preferred. For example, in legal documents, "phoning" can sound too casual.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "phoning" is that of a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "She is phoning") or as a gerund (e.g., "Phoning is her favorite way to communicate"). Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "phoning" functions as a present participle, describing the action of making a phone call. While grammatically correct and frequently used—as confirmed by Ludwig AI—its register leans towards neutral to informal. More formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "telephoning". The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but is also present in encyclopedia and science sources. Remember to choose the most appropriate term based on your audience and the level of formality required. As exemplified by Ludwig, "phoning" serves as a concise way to express telephone communication in a wide array of scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Calling

A simpler and more general term for contacting someone by phone.

Telephoning

A more formal synonym for "phoning".

Making a call

Focuses on the action of initiating a phone call.

Contacting by phone

Highlights the method of communication being used.

Giving a call

Emphasizes the act of providing someone with a phone call.

Placing a call

Similar to 'making a call' but sounds slightly more formal.

Ringing up

An informal term, common in British English, for calling someone.

Getting in touch by telephone

A more verbose way of saying "phoning", emphasizing connection.

Reaching out via phone

Emphasizes the effort to make contact.

Buzzing

A slang term meaning calling someone, also highlights connection

FAQs

How to use "phoning" in a sentence?

"Phoning" is the present participle of the verb 'to phone'. You can use it in continuous tenses, like: "She is "phoning her mother"" or "He was "phoning the office" when I arrived."

What can I say instead of "phoning"?

You can use alternatives like "calling", "telephoning", or "making a call" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "phoning" correct, or should I use "telephoning"?

Both "phoning" and "telephoning" are correct. "Phoning" is more common and informal, while "telephoning" is a more formal alternative. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "phoning" and "texting"?

"Phoning" refers to communicating verbally using a telephone, while "texting" involves sending written messages via a mobile device. They are different methods of communication.