So, you’ve tried to call someone but didn’t reach them. Maybe they were busy. Well, it’s good to highlight this to them when you send a follow-up message or talk to them later.
This article will explain what to say to someone who didn’t answer their phone. We’ve got some great synonyms lined up to help you.
Other Ways to Say “I Tried to Call You but Couldn’t Reach You”
- I couldn’t get through to you when I called
- You didn’t pick up the phone
- I couldn’t reach you on the phone
- I tried calling you but couldn’t get through
- You weren’t available when I rang
- I called you, but you didn’t answer
- You didn’t answer when I rang
- I tried to call you several times, but unfortunately, I couldn’t reach you
- You must have been busy when I called you
- I tried to call you but couldn’t connect
- You must have been busy since you didn’t answer me
- I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up
- I tried calling you without success
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you” is a great choice already, although there are more formal options.
- “I couldn’t get through to you when I called” is a formal synonym giving you more options in writing.
- Try using “you didn’t pick up the phone” if you want something slightly more conversational.
So, there are clearly some fantastic synonyms out there. Keep reading to learn more about which ones to use in formal emails and messages to people.
We’ve also explored the formality of the phrase. Skip to the final section to learn whether it’s acceptable in most formal writing cases.
I Couldn’t Get Through to You When I Called (Formal)
“I couldn’t get through to you when I called” is a good formal alternative. It shows that you did not succeed when you tried to call someone previously.
You should try using it in an email to a client. It shows them that you tried to contact them (which is good business practice).
Of course, there’s nothing you can do if they don’t pick up the phone, so it’s good to let them know that you tried calling, but now you need to send a follow-up email.
We encourage you to try using “I couldn’t get through to you when I called” in professional settings. It’s more effective than “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you” since it uses more professional and respectful language.
These examples will help you understand more about the phrase:
Dear April,
I couldn’t get through to you when I called. That’s why you haven’t heard from me yet.
All the best,
Danielle
Since I couldn’t get through to you when I called, I decided to book the event without you.
You Didn’t Pick up the Phone (Informal)
“You didn’t pick up the phone” is a great choice as an informal synonym.
It gives you a chance to explain why someone hasn’t heard from you for a while. After all, you can’t help it if they didn’t pick up the phone when you called.
Generally, this phrase works best when talking to friends. It shows you tried to contact them but failed (usually because they were too busy). You’ll often say something like this in a message (or voicemail) after failing to get through to someone.
We do not encourage using “you didn’t pick up the phone” professionally. It is too conversational. It works well with friends, but “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you” is better in more formal cases.
Check out the examples below to see how to use the phrase:
Well, you didn’t pick up the phone when I called. I didn’t know you had changed your mind.
You didn’t pick up the phone, so I decided to buy the tickets myself.
Is “I Tried to Call You but Couldn’t Reach You” Formal?
“I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you” is acceptable in formal writing, but there are better alternatives.
The only part of the phrase that prevents it from being truly formal is “couldn’t reach you.”
Instead of using “couldn’t reach you,” you might want to say:
- I tried to call you but couldn’t get through
- I tried to call you, but you did not answer
These variations are more formal as they remove the slightly more conversational “couldn’t reach you.” However, on the whole, “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you” is appropriate; there are just more formal options out there.
You should bookmark this page if you’d like to remind yourself of a polite way to say “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you.” There are some great synonyms available, so feel free to return here!