[Grammar] How can I call you?

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Kenneth_Wai

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Hi all,

When I say "How can I call you?", am I requesting your phone number or your name?

Really, I got confused already for a long period.
But certainly, I know that I could directly say " what is your number/name".:lol:

Thanks.
 
"How can I call you" might mean "what is your phone number", but just barely, not naturally. It could never mean "what is your name?"

In AmE we say " How can I contact you?" or "reach you" or "get in touch with you". And the answer might be an e-mail address rather than a phone number.
 
Could "what should I call you?" mean so?

It could also be used when you know their name but are not sure whether to use the first name or family name.
 
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