What is telephone? Pronunciation and usage in English

telephone means . Learn how to pronounce and use telephone through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of telephone

telephonenoun/verb

/ˈtɛlɪfəʊn/
Definition & pronunciation of telephone

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "telephone" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown and a few different ways to approach it:

The Most Common and Accepted Pronunciation:

  • teh-LEH-fohn

Let's break that down further:

  • teh: Pronounced like the word "the" – a short, unstressed vowel.
  • LEH: This is the key! This syllable is stressed and pronounced with a clear "ah" sound, like in the word "father." It's often mispronounced as "tel."
  • fohn: Pronounced like "fone," with a soft "n" sound at the end.

Here's a way to visualize it with sounds:

https://www.yougocommunicate.com/pronunciation/telephone (This is a great audio resource!)

Common Mistakes & Why They're Wrong:

  • "tel-e-fone": This is a very common mistake! It’s not wrong, but it's not the standard pronunciation.
  • "tele-phone": Adding an extra "e" at the beginning is incorrect.

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress the "LEH" syllable. This is the most important thing.
  • Don't overemphasize the "phone" part. It's a softer sound.
  • Listen to native speakers. The audio link above is invaluable. You can also search YouTube for "how to pronounce telephone" to hear it spoken multiple times.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some similar-sounding words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word telephone in English

Let's break down how to use the word "telephone" in English. It's a fairly straightforward word, but understanding how it's used grammatically and contextually will make you sound more natural.

1. Basic Definition & Usage:

  • What it is: A telephone is a device used for voice communication over a distance. It's a phone!
  • Simple Sentence: “I called my mom on the telephone.”
  • More Descriptive: “He answered the telephone with a cheerful ‘Hello.’”

2. Grammatical Considerations:

  • Singular or Plural? "Telephone" is almost always treated as a singular noun. You almost never say "telephones."

    • Correct: “I need a telephone.”
    • Incorrect: “I need telephones.”

  • Capitalization: "Telephone" is not capitalized unless it's part of a formal title or heading.

    • Correct: “The telephone number is 555-123-4567.”
    • Incorrect: “The Telephone Number…” (unless it’s the title of something)

3. Common Phrases & Ways to Use It:

  • “To call someone on the telephone”: This is a very common expression.

    • “I’m going to call him on the telephone tonight.”

  • “Ring (the) telephone”: This means to make a phone call.

    • "I heard the telephone ringing."

  • “Answer the telephone”: To respond to a phone call.

    • "Can you answer the telephone when it rings?"

  • “Mobile telephone” / “Cell phone”: These are more modern terms for a phone that you carry with you.

    • “My mobile telephone is broken.” (Formal)
    • “My cell phone is dying.” (More common)

  • “Landline telephone”: This refers to a traditional phone connected to a physical wire. “Grandma still uses her landline telephone.”

  • “Telephone number”: The series of digits that identifies a specific phone line.

    • “What’s your telephone number?”

  • “On the telephone”: Meaning "by phone" or “talking on the phone”.

    • "I'll call you on the telephone later." (Instead of "I'll call you by phone later.")

4. Contextual Examples (Putting it all together):

  • Formal: "The company utilizes a sophisticated telephone system for internal communication."
  • Informal: "Let's talk on the telephone – I want to tell you everything!"
  • Descriptive: "He nervously held the old rotary telephone, waiting for the connection."
  • Problematic: “She was glued to the telephone all day.” (While understandable, "fixated on her phone" or "spending the day on her phone" might sound more natural in many cases.)

5. Distinguishing from “Phone”:

  • "Phone" is a more general term for a device that makes calls.
  • "Telephone" is a more specific and often slightly more formal word for that device.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Focus on a specific usage (e.g., using it in a sentence about technology)?

Synonyms for the word telephone

Idioms of the word telephone

be on the telephone
to be using the phone
  • He's on the telephone at the moment.
  • You're wanted (= somebody wants to speak to you) on the telephone.
(British English, old-fashioned)to have a phone in your home or place of work
  • We were not on the telephone at the cottage.

Practice with vocabulary telephone

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company installed a new ________ system in all offices to improve internal communication.
  2. Please make sure to ________ your client by the end of the day to confirm the meeting time.
  3. My new ________ has an excellent camera and a long-lasting battery, perfect for work on the go.
  4. For urgent inquiries, please contact us via ________, rather than email.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following can be considered a type of communication device primarily for voice interaction? a) Fax machine b) Smartphone c) Email client d) Telephone e) Pager

  2. When you wish to verbally connect with someone who is geographically distant in a professional capacity, you typically: a) Send a telegram b) Write a formal letter c) Utilize a telephone d) Send an instant message

  3. To effectively convey a complex message that requires immediate interactive feedback, you might choose to: a) Send a detailed report b) Engage in a video conference c) Make a telephone call d) Compose an elaborate email

  4. Which of these words is a synonym for a brief, informal spoken exchange? a) Discourse b) Dialogue c) Chat d) Lecture

  5. In a professional setting, what is the most appropriate way to leave a message for someone who is unavailable for a direct conversation? a) Shout their name loudly b) Send a casual text message c) Leave a voicemail d) Discuss the matter with a colleague

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She decided to ring her manager directly to discuss the project update. Rewrite using "telephone":

  2. Original: I need to talk to someone at customer service about my recent order. Rewrite using a related word form of "telephone":

  3. Original: For urgent matters, direct verbal communication is often the most effective. Rewrite without using "telephone":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. telephone
  2. call
  3. smartphone
  4. telephone

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Smartphone, d) Telephone
  2. c) Utilize a telephone
  3. b) Engage in a video conference, c) Make a telephone call
  4. c) Chat
  5. c) Leave a voicemail

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "telephone": She decided to contact her manager by telephone to discuss the project update.
  2. Rewrite using a related word form of "telephone": I need to make a telephone call to customer service about my recent order.
  3. Rewrite without using "telephone": For urgent matters, a direct conversation is often the most effective.

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