He's not in
Unavailable
Use `He's not in` to politely tell a caller or visitor that someone is currently away.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to say someone is physically absent from a location.
- Perfect for office phone calls and home visitors.
- A polite way to say someone is unavailable right now.
Significado
This phrase tells someone that a person is not at their usual place of work or home. It is a polite way to say they are currently unavailable to talk.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Answering the office phone
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
A friend visiting your house
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Texting a group about a meeting
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
Contexto cultural
This phrase reflects the traditional 'gatekeeper' culture of Western offices. In the era of landlines, saying someone was 'not in' was the standard way to protect a manager's time. Today, it remains a polite social buffer that avoids giving too much personal detail about someone's location.
Always Offer an Alternative
In English culture, just saying `He's not in` can feel a bit blunt. Always follow up with 'Can I help you?' or 'Would you like to leave a message?'
Don't say 'Not Inside'
Many people try to say `He is not inside`, but that sounds like he's hiding in the garden! Stick to `not in` for general absence.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to say someone is physically absent from a location.
- Perfect for office phone calls and home visitors.
- A polite way to say someone is unavailable right now.
What It Means
He's not in is a simple way to say someone is absent. It usually refers to an office, a house, or a specific room. You aren't saying where he is. You are just saying he isn't here. It is the ultimate 'gatekeeper' phrase for secretaries and roommates alike.
How To Use It
Use this when the phone rings for a colleague. Use it when a neighbor knocks looking for your brother. You can swap he for she, they, or a name. It is short, sweet, and very common. Just remember to follow it with a helpful offer. Try saying, 'Can I take a message?' or 'Try again later.'
When To Use It
Use it at work when a boss is at lunch. Use it at home when your roommate is out jogging. It works perfectly for phone calls and front-door visits. It is great for protecting someone's privacy without being rude. If a telemarketer calls, this phrase is your best friend. It ends the conversation quickly but remains polite.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if the person is actually in the room. That makes things very awkward! Also, don't use it for long-term absences. If someone is on vacation for a month, say He's away. He's not in implies he might be back later today. Avoid using it in very emotional situations, like a breakup. It sounds a bit too 'office-like' for deep personal matters.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a time before mobile phones. People used to call 'places' rather than 'people.' You called a house or an office desk. If the person wasn't at that physical spot, they were not in. Even today, we use it for digital workspaces like Slack or Teams. It shows that English speakers value physical presence in a workspace.
Common Variations
She's out at the moment.(Very common and polite)They aren't in right now.(Good for a group)He's not at his desk.(Specific for office life)He's stepped out.(Implies he will be back very soon)
Notas de uso
This phrase is perfectly neutral and safe for almost any situation. It is the 'gold standard' for answering phones at work or home. Just remember to use a friendly tone so you don't sound like a robot!
Always Offer an Alternative
In English culture, just saying `He's not in` can feel a bit blunt. Always follow up with 'Can I help you?' or 'Would you like to leave a message?'
Don't say 'Not Inside'
Many people try to say `He is not inside`, but that sounds like he's hiding in the garden! Stick to `not in` for general absence.
The 'White Lie'
Sometimes people use `He's not in` as a polite lie when someone doesn't want to talk. It's a socially accepted way to avoid a conversation without being mean.
Exemplos
6I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
A standard professional response for a missing colleague.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Casual and informative for a friend.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
Clear communication for a workplace update.
Actually, the homeowner is not in right now.
Actually, the homeowner is not in right now.
A polite way to end an unwanted conversation.
Daddy's not in yet, but he will be home for dinner.
Daddy's not in yet, but he will be home for dinner.
Reassuring and simple for family use.
Looks like Sarah is not in; her computer is off.
Looks like Sarah is not in; her computer is off.
Observational and friendly.
Teste-se
Choose the correct phrase to tell a caller that your boss is away.
I'm afraid Mr. Smith ___. Can I take a message?
`Is not in` is the standard idiom for being away from one's desk or home.
Complete the sentence for a roommate who is out.
Mark ___ right now, he's at the grocery store.
Both `isn't in` and `isn't here` work, but `isn't in` specifically refers to being away from the house.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'He's not in'
He's out.
Talking to a sibling.
He's not in.
Standard office/home use.
He is unavailable at present.
High-level business call.
Common Places to Use 'Not In'
Office Desk
Answering for a colleague.
Front Door
Talking to a delivery person.
Shared Apartment
Telling a visitor your roommate is out.
Work Chat
Updating a team on someone's status.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot necessarily. It just means he is not at his expected location, like his desk or his home. He could be in another city or just at the store.
Yes, simply change it to She's not in. You can also use names, like John's not in.
No, it is very neutral. However, it is more polite if you add at the moment or right now to the end.
He's out is slightly more informal. He's not in is the standard professional way to answer a phone.
It's better to say He's away or He's on holiday. Not in usually implies they will return later that day.
It is less common in emails. Usually, people write He is out of the office in a professional email.
No, that would be He's out of the country. Not in is for a specific building or room.
Yes! It is a polite way to cover for someone who is briefly unavailable without giving too much detail.
The opposite is He's in. For example: 'Is the doctor in today?'
Both are fine. He's not in is very common in speech, while He is not in sounds slightly more formal.
Frases relacionadas
Out of the office
The professional version used in business emails.
Stepped out
Left for a very short time, like for coffee.
Unavailable
A more formal way to say someone cannot talk.
Away from his desk
Specifically used in office environments.
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