started phone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started phone" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the action of initiating a phone call or turning on a phone, but as it stands, it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I started phone" does not make sense; a clearer version would be "I started the phone call."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee had already started phone banks to push four other Democratic Senate candidates: challenger Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, and Rep. Mazie Hirono in Hawaii.

Huffington Post

Consistent with this, we found that in short-term users, phone use by cases was more likely to be contralateral than ipsilateral, and in long-term users (who would have started phone use before the tumour first began to develop), reported bilateral phone use was more common than in short-term users.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I started phoning round and emailing universities.

The Guardian

Then I started phoning the musicians I know.

The New York Times

So he pulled out his Rolodex and started phoning old friends.

The New York Times

Agent Schweickhardt spent twelve weeks at UCLA studying film production and then checked into Chateau Marmont and started phoning agents.

The New Yorker

As soon as he could reach the street, he started phoning in reports to the intelligence division.

The New Yorker

He was back where he had started: phoning friends for job leads, filling out applications, waiting for calls.

The New York Times

The two looked in the ward's birth book and started phoning women cared for by Ogden.

The New York Times - Magazine

After a while, Mother started phoning in order to talk to Yvella, who could coax kittens out of trees.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But when I started phoning people up to tell them about it, no one could believe it had happened again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "started phone". Instead, clarify your intended meaning by using phrases like "started phoning", "started making phone calls", or "turned on the phone".

Common error

Ensure you include verbs that clearly describe the action related to phone use. Omitting verbs like "making" or "calling" can lead to grammatical errors and unclear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started phone" functions as an incomplete verb phrase. As highlighted by Ludwig, it lacks clarity and does not conform to standard grammatical rules. It requires a more complete verb construction to convey a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "started phone" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to use more precise phrases like "started phoning", "started making phone calls", or "turned on the phone" to ensure clear communication. Although examples exist, they highlight the need for grammatical correction rather than condoning its usage. The phrase appears infrequently across various contexts, with a slight presence in news, science and wiki sources. Always aim for grammatical accuracy to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began phoning

Replaces "started" with "began", offering a similar meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

initiated a phone call

Uses "initiated" to emphasize the formal action of starting a phone call.

started making phone calls

Adds "making" to clarify the action of initiating calls.

started to call

Uses "to call" to specify the action being started, improving clarity.

commenced phoning

Substitutes "started" with "commenced", which is more formal and less common.

activated the phone

Focuses on the action of turning on the phone, if that's the intended meaning.

switched on the phone

Similar to "activated the phone", but emphasizes the mechanical aspect of turning it on.

turned on the phone

A more common way to say "activated the phone".

powered up the phone

Emphasizes the action of providing power to the phone, suggesting it was off before.

got on the phone

Highlights the action of beginning a phone conversation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "started phone"?

The phrase "started phone" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "started phoning", "started making phone calls", or "turned on the phone" depending on the context.

What does "started phone" mean?

The intended meaning of "started phone" is unclear without additional context. It could refer to initiating a phone call or turning on a phone. Using clearer phrases like "initiated a phone call" or "activated the phone" can prevent confusion.

Is it okay to say "started phone" in informal conversation?

While it might be understood in some informal contexts, "started phone" is not grammatically correct. It's always best to use proper grammar, even in casual conversation, to ensure clear communication. Consider saying "started to call" or "began phoning" instead.

How can I avoid using the ambiguous phrase "started phone"?

To avoid ambiguity, be specific about the action you're describing. Use phrases like "started a phone call" if you mean initiating a call, or "turned on the phone" if you mean activating the device. Clarity is key to effective communication.