Phone and Telephone

Verb + phone

• answer the phone

• use the phone

• pick up / put down the phone

• get off the phone

• come to the phone

• charge your mobile phone

• the phone rings

Phone + noun

• a phone box

• a phone call

• your phone number

• your phone bill

• the telephone directory

Common expressions

• be on the phone

• put the phone down on (him)

• the use of mobile phones

• do something by phone

• speak to her on the phone

• leave the phone off the hook

• your mobile phone

Exercise

Verb + phone

1. I was just going to sleep when the phone rang.

2. I've rung at least four times in the last hour. Nobody is answering the phone.

3. Do you mind if I use your phone to make a quick call?

4. I forgot to charge my mobile phone last night, so that's why you couldn't reach me.

5. When I saw the smoke, I picked up the phone and dialed 999.

6. I wish Shaw would get off the phone. He's been on it for hours!

7. It's a very bad line. Put the phone down and l'll call you straight back.

8. I'm sorry he's too busy to come to the phone. Shall I get him to call you back later!

Phone + noun

1. I'm sorry I don't have his phone number or his address.

2. I'm sorry I wasn't able to return your phone call earlier. I've been away from the office for a few days.

3. We tried looking up his number in the telephone directory but it wasn't in the book.

4. We ran up a huge phone bill while we were away on holiday. I had no idea that international calls were that expensive!

5. I think that phone boxes will soon be a thing of the past, now that nearly everybody has mobile phone.

Common expressions

1. Who was that on the phone just now? - c

2. Harry's number is still engaged. Maybe he's left the phone off the hook. - d

3. The use of mobile phones is not permitted inside the aircraft. - e

4. The line's gone dead. He's just put the phone down on me! - a

5. You can place your order by phone or e-mail. - b

Notes

1. Note the expression:

   I read the exam results out to him over the phone.

2. Note the vocabulary we use specifically for mobile phones:

   1. My new mobile phone has 50 ringtones.

   2. I mostly use my mobile for texting.

   3. Is your mobile pay-as-you-go?

   4. My mobile needs re-charging.