rings the buzzer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rings the buzzer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to sports, particularly in basketball, to indicate that a player has made a shot just before the game or quarter ends. Example: "With only seconds left on the clock, she took the shot and rings the buzzer, securing the win for her team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Buttah doesn't bark when people walk by, though he does when someone rings the buzzer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I ring the buzzer, but there is no reply.

The Guardian

One year, around Easter, a parish priest rang the buzzer and offered to bless my apartment.

The New York Times - Travel

In an ordinary street at an ordinary block I rang the buzzer.

The Guardian - Travel

When everything is close together like that, anyone can just drop by and knock on the door, ring the buzzer.

The New Yorker

They had been told to ring the buzzer and wait for the doorman, who was strict: "No pictures.

The New York Times

To enter, ring the buzzer marked "G," climb to the second floor, and let the bartender usher you into his candle-lit living room.

The New Yorker

When you ring the buzzer for apartment No. 7, nothing happens any longer, and won't, probably, until someone else moves in.

The New Yorker

Please give me a chance to be a better mother to him.' " On Sunday, she will ring the buzzer again, as the guests arrive.

The New York Times

But just as I raised my camera, I saw a shadow move, so I quickly crossed the street and rang the buzzer.

The New York Times - Travel

Word-of-mouth spread quickly among neighbors, friends and friends of friends, who would stop by and ring the buzzer to Ms. Carter's ground-floor brownstone apartment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions at a building entrance, use "rings the buzzer" to clearly indicate the act of signaling for entry or attention.

Common error

Ensure that the context makes it clear which buzzer is being referred to, especially when multiple buzzers are present (e.g., "rings the apartment buzzer" versus simply "rings the buzzer").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rings the buzzer" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of activating a buzzer, typically to gain entry or attention. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is a common and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rings the buzzer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the action of activating a buzzer to signal one's presence or request entry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "presses the buzzer" exist, "rings the buzzer" remains a clear and effective way to describe this everyday action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presses the buzzer

Emphasizes the physical action of pressing the button.

activates the buzzer

Focuses on the function of setting off the buzzer.

pushes the call button

More specific term for a buzzer used for calling someone.

sounds the buzzer

Highlights the resulting sound from the buzzer.

hits the buzzer

More casual and emphatic way of saying the buzzer was pressed.

taps the buzzer

Suggests a light or brief pressing of the buzzer.

buzzes the apartment

Implies using the buzzer to contact a specific apartment.

triggers the buzzer

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

alerts with the buzzer

Focuses on the buzzer's function as an alerting device.

uses the intercom

Broader term that encompasses the buzzer function.

FAQs

How can I use "rings the buzzer" in a sentence?

You can use "rings the buzzer" to describe the action of pressing a buzzer to signal someone, such as "He "rings the buzzer" to be let into the building".

What are some alternatives to "rings the buzzer"?

Alternatives include "presses the buzzer", "activates the buzzer", or "pushes the call button". These phrases have subtle differences in meaning and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "rang the buzzer" instead of "rings the buzzer"?

Yes, "rang the buzzer" is the past tense of "rings the buzzer" and is used to describe an action that has already occurred. For example, "She "rang the buzzer" and waited for an answer".

What is the difference between "rings the buzzer" and "hears the buzzer"?

"Rings the buzzer" describes the action of someone pressing the buzzer, while "hears the buzzer" describes someone perceiving the sound produced by the buzzer. The first one is related to action, the second to perception.