person-to-person
person-to-person — adjective
1. describing a telephone call arranged through an operator, where you are charged
describing a telephone call arranged through an operator, where you are charged only if you actually speak to the specific person you asked for
My grandmother still requests a person-to-person call when she phones her sister in Kyoto.
person-to-person call — noun phrase used attributively
The journalist placed a person-to-person call to the Tokyo bureau through the international operator.
place a person-to-person call — typical verb collocation
Ines asked the hotel operator for a person-to-person connection to the head office in Seoul.
Before mobile phones, travelers often used person-to-person calls to avoid paying for failed connections.
The clerk noted a person-to-person call is charged only when Rania speaks to Mr. Okonkwo.
- operator-assisted
broader term for any call handled by an operator, not just those charged on connection
- station-to-station
a call charged from the moment it is answered by anyone, not a specific person
文法句型
person-to-person + noun
用法筆記
This sense is increasingly historical; younger speakers may be unfamiliar with operator-assisted calling.
常見錯誤
2. done through direct contact among people, with no go-between — for instance, a f
done through direct contact among people, with no go-between — for instance, a face-to-face talk, a handshake, or a discussion without a third party involved
The team found that person-to-person meetings built trust much faster than emails ever could.
person-to-person meetings — attributive noun phrase
After months of misunderstandings, the partners agreed that a person-to-person conversation was overdue.
Elena prefers person-to-person training sessions because she can ask questions and get immediate answers.
The charity organizes person-to-person visits so donors can meet the families they are supporting.
Asher noticed that person-to-person handoffs between shifts reduced errors on the factory floor.
- face-to-face
more specific — implies physical presence in the same location
- one-on-one
focuses on two people only, can be via phone or video
- in-person
common in American English; shorter and slightly less formal
文法句型
person-to-person + noun
be + person-to-person
用法筆記
Often contrasted with digital or indirect communication such as email, messaging apps, or communication through a representative.
常見錯誤
person-to-person — adverb
1. by talking to or meeting someone directly rather than using messages, phone call
by talking to or meeting someone directly rather than using messages, phone calls, or other indirect methods
Hari decided to deliver the apology person-to-person rather than writing a formal letter.
verb + person-to-person — adverb after verb of communication
Xiu learned more about the research by speaking person-to-person with the lead scientist.
The sales team met with each client person-to-person to understand their specific needs.
Rania prefers to discuss sensitive matters person-to-person with her manager rather than by email.
Kabir met with the landlord person-to-person and they quickly agreed on the new lease terms.
- in person
more common and neutral; can apply to any direct encounter
- face to face
emphasizes physical presence in the same space
- directly
simpler word but broader in meaning — can include phone calls
- remotely
via technology or distance
- indirectly
through a third party or go-between
文法句型
verb + person-to-person
用法筆記
Typically appears after communication verbs (speak, talk, meet, discuss, apologize, negotiate). Not used before the verb — 'I met him person-to-person', not 'I person-to-person met him.'