telephone me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telephone me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to call you on the phone. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please telephone me at your earliest convenience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"If you ever want to do a movie part, just telephone me," Schenck said.

The New Yorker

They said they would telephone me to conduct a second interview.

The Guardian - Opinion

To interview Gutiérrez Soto, I had to arrange for him to telephone me from the center.

The New Yorker

And because of that, he had time to telephone me and tell me that he loved me.

The New York Times

Occasionally he would telephone me at some odd hour, to talk about what he was painting or an exhibition he had seen.

The New York Times - Arts

Often before Woody's written a script, he'll telephone me and talk about the idea with an eye to who might be cast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Next day he telephoned me.

The Guardian

When he telephoned me this time, he sounded cheerful.

The New Yorker

"Dylan Riley telephoned me," Glass said, "the day he was killed.

The New York Times - Magazine

He telephoned me yesterday, just after you did.

The New York Times - Magazine

Alusi telephoned me from Baghdad to say that he was determined to fight the charges.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when choosing between "telephone me" and more casual alternatives like "call me up." The former is more appropriate for professional settings.

Common error

While grammatically correct, consistently using "telephone me" in casual conversations can sound overly formal or even stilted. Opt for "call me" or "give me a ring" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telephone me" functions as an imperative request. It is a direct instruction for someone to contact the speaker via telephone. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telephone me" is a grammatically correct but somewhat formal way of asking someone to contact you by phone. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to request a phone call. While perfectly acceptable in professional and formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "call me" are often preferred in everyday conversation. Given its slightly elevated register, "telephone me" is most frequently found in news media and formal business correspondence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Phone me

This is a direct synonym, maintaining the same level of formality.

Call me

This is a more common and informal way to ask someone to contact you by phone.

Give me a call

This is a slightly more emphatic and friendly way to ask someone to telephone you.

Call me up

This phrase is slightly more informal and colloquial than "telephone me".

Ring me

This is a British English equivalent of 'call me'.

Get in touch with me by phone

This is a slightly less direct but still polite way of asking someone to call you.

Dial my number

This is a more technical or direct way of asking someone to call you.

Reach out to me by phone

This is a slightly more formal and explicit way of asking someone to call you.

Contact me by telephone

This is a very formal version of the original phrase.

Drop me a line

Although this typically refers to written communication, it can sometimes be used to imply a phone call, particularly if the context is already established.

FAQs

How can I use "telephone me" in a sentence?

You can use "telephone me" in a sentence like this: "If you have any further questions, please "telephone me" during office hours."

Is "telephone me" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "telephone me" can sound quite formal in casual settings. Alternatives like "call me" or "give me a call" are often more appropriate.

What's a more modern alternative to "telephone me"?

A more modern alternative to "telephone me" is simply "call me". It's widely understood and suitable for most situations.

When should I use "telephone me" instead of "call me"?

Use "telephone me" in formal correspondence or professional settings where a higher degree of formality is desired. In most other contexts, "call me" is perfectly acceptable.