In business communications, the courtesy of specifying the type of phone (for reasons of calling cost) is less important than in private communications, as calling both is a business expense. However if you are giving a landline and a mobile number it makes sense to specify which is which (Tel: and Mob: would be the normal way to abbreviate them in British English) The meaning of Mob: may not ...
In the UK 'phone book' is an informal name for what would be more formally described as 'the telephone directory'; however, the much reduced version still issued by British Telecom actually calls itself The Phone Book. It contains both residential and business numbers, but there is also a separate classified business directory printed on yellow paper and called The Yellow Pages in imitation of ...
Is it considered proper English to say something like this? I called her via a telephone. Or should the indefinite article be omitted entirely? I called her via telephone. If the indefinite art...
I was having a shower when the telephone rang. (Past Continuous for interrupted action) I was in the shower when the telephone rang. Why is Past Simple used in the second sentence?)
The recommended style of presentation of new telephone numbers is based on customer research. Brackets are used to identify the national code - which is omitted when dialling within the same area.
Follow up email: I'm writing to discuss [subject matter]. I tried to reach you by phone last week but I couldn't get through (or, you were unavailable). So I wanted to ask you about [back to subject matter]. Benefits: courteous, polite, easy-going clearly points out your attempt to call keeps focus on what you really want With minor adjustments, the same message could be used in a voicemail or ...
On the telephone, the person answering it may say "Who is calling?" or "Who is this?" Why do you say "this" to the caller on the other end of the phone? Is is wrong to say "Who is that?"
2 I was looking for the name of the button on a telephone that you push to hang up. On older phones where the receiver sits horizontally over two buttons, I've seen them called "plungers." Are people familiar with this term? Is there another term? Is the single button also called a "plunger?"
I understand that someone's work phone might have an extension. What do you call the main number of that office, which would normally be answered by an operator or a computer voice system? Would ...
In Australia, it has traditionally been a "mobile" - never a "cell" (unless you are deliberately trying to sound American!). However, it is increasingly becoming just a "phone", as landlines continue to disappear from households. The one clarifying term might be "my phone" - this would guarantee it to be a mobile phone, rather than a landline.
