call on the phone

Meaning

This phrase means to contact someone by dialing their phone number to have a spoken conversation. While simply 'call' is often used, 'call on the phone' explicitly specifies the medium, often used to distinguish from video calls or texting.

Examples

• I prefer to call on the phone rather than send endless text messages.

  I prefer to call on the phone rather than send endless text messages.

• My dad still calls me on the phone every Sunday morning.

  My dad still calls me on the phone every Sunday morning.

• If you're late, make sure to call on the phone and let us know.

  If you're late, make sure to call on the phone and let us know.

• She called me on the phone to explain what had happened.

  She called me on the phone to explain what had happened.

• It's nice to call on the phone just to hear a friend's voice.

  It's nice to call on the phone just to hear a friend's voice.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will call you on phone.

  ✓ I will call you on the phone.

  The definite article 'the' is required in the phrase 'on the phone'.

• ✗ She phoned me on the call.

  ✓ She called me on the phone.

  'Phoned me on the call' is redundant. Use 'called me on the phone' or simply 'called me'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Instead of texting, why don't you just ___?

  💡 Speak to them directly using a telephone.

  Show answer

  call on the phone

• I will ___ as soon as my flight lands.

  💡 Make a telephone call to someone.

  Show answer

  call on the phone