their phone

USAGE SUMMARY

"their phone" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "The couple was so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't even hear their phone ringing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

audience via their phone.

The New Yorker

Elliot recited their phone number.

The New Yorker

Their phone rang.

The New York Times - Sports

"Their phone numbers are posted right there".

The New York Times

I had their phone numbers, their villages.

The Guardian

Keeping their phone in their pocket.

The New York Times

"And charge their phone," Aarons added.

The New Yorker

Then their phone lines went down.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, their phone calls were being returned.

The New York Times

Who here ever looks at their phone?

The New Yorker

No one was on their phone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about technology, consider whether "their mobile device" or "their smartphone" is a more accurate and modern substitute for "their phone" depending on the context.

Common error

Ensure you're using the correct possessive pronoun. "There phone" or "They're phone" are incorrect. Use "their phone" to indicate possession by multiple people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their phone" functions as a noun phrase, where "their" acts as a possessive determiner modifying the noun "phone". Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, and Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their phone" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate possession or usage of a phone by a group of individuals. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently found in news and media, as well as on wiki sites. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When writing, remember to use "their" to show possession by multiple people and consider alternatives like "their mobile device" depending on the context. Ensuring correct pronoun usage will improve clarity and avoid common grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their mobile device

Replaces "phone" with a more general term encompassing smartphones and other portable communication devices.

their cell phone

Specifies the type of phone, emphasizing its cellular network connectivity.

their smartphone

Indicates a more advanced type of mobile phone with computer-like capabilities.

their handset

A more formal or technical term for a phone, referring to the physical device.

their device

Simplifies the phrase by using a general term, useful when the specific device is already understood.

their telephone

A more formal and traditional term for a phone.

theirs phone

Rephrasing to emphasize possession.

their line

Implies their phone connection or phone number.

their mobile

Commonly used in British English to refer to a mobile phone.

the phone they own

Expands the phrase to explicitly state ownership of the phone.

FAQs

How do I use "their phone" in a sentence?

"Their phone" is used to indicate that a group of people owns or uses a particular phone. For example, "The students were asked to turn off their phone during the exam."

What can I say instead of "their phone"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "their mobile device", "their cell phone", or "their smartphone".

Is it correct to say "there phone" instead of "their phone"?

No, "there phone" is grammatically incorrect. "There" indicates a place, while "their" indicates possession. The correct phrase is "their phone", indicating that the phone belongs to them.

What's the difference between "their phone" and "theirs phone"?

"Their phone" is used attributively before a noun, whereas "theirs" is a possessive pronoun used independently. An example using the possessive pronoun is: "Is that phone theirs?" while you use "their phone" like in "Is that their phone?".