Basic Vocabulary
- Telephone / Phone – a device used to communicate over long distances.
- Mobile phone / Cell phone – a portable telephone.
- Landline – a traditional wired telephone.
- Receiver – the part you hold to your ear.
- Dial – to enter a phone number.
- Call / Make a call – to contact someone by phone.
- Answer the phone – to respond when it rings.
Common Phrases & Expressions
- “Can I use your phone?” – Asking politely to borrow a telephone.
- “I’ll give you a call later.” – Informal way to say you’ll phone someone.
- “The line is busy.” – The person is already on another call.
- “You’ve got the wrong number.” – You dialed an incorrect phone number.
- “Hold on, please.” – Asking someone to wait during a call.
Grammar Tip: “Phone” vs. “Telephone”
Both words mean the same thing, but “phone” is more common in everyday speech:
- ✅ “I lost my phone.” (natural)
- ✅ “Please telephone me tomorrow.” (slightly formal)
- ✅ “She’s on the phone.” (idiomatic)
Fun Fact: History of the Telephone
The first practical telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. His famous first words over the telephone were: “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.”
Pronunciation Practice
Telephone – /ˈtel.ɪ.fəʊn/ (TEL-uh-fohn)
Phone – /fəʊn/ (fohn)
Tip: Stress the first syllable in “telephone.”