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Latest post Wed, Apr 11 2007 10:35 PM by CalifJim. 5 replies.
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Kooyeen  +  349243 Tue, 10 Apr 07 06:06 PM
Hi,
could you take a look at these?

I was on the phone to/with Bin Laden.
Can I leave a message to/for Mr. Bin Laden?
Moooom! Could you come to/on/... the phone? It's Bin Laden...


What are the possible choices and what are the usual one? Thanks Smile [:)]

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005
Italy
Senior Member 4,969
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nona the brit  +  349247 Tue, 10 Apr 07 06:16 PM

I was on the phone to/with (both ok. To would mean that you phoned him, not that he had phoned you. With could mean either way round).

Can I leave a message for

Could you come to the phone

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004
England
Veteran Member 11,713
The name says it all.
Kooyeen  +  349260 Tue, 10 Apr 07 06:45 PM
Thank you Nona. Yes [Y]
Yeah, that sounds good, even though you are British. (kidding Stick out tongue [:P])

CalifJim  +  349373 Wed, 11 Apr 07 01:52 AM
I'd use

on the phone with
leave a message for
come to the phone

on the phone to sounds weird to me -- is it a common turn of phrase in BrE?
Is is formed by analogy with on the way to?

CJ

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member 22,399
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
nona the brit  +  349478 Wed, 11 Apr 07 10:13 AM

I think 'to' is more common here than 'with'.

It's similar to 'I'm talking to Fred' instead of 'I'm talking with Fred'.

CalifJim  +  349733 Wed, 11 Apr 07 10:35 PM
OK.  Got it.  I think I had got hold of the wrong end of the stick there.

CJ

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