When you're on the telephone why do you say "It is John" instead of "I am John" when asked who is calling.

Answer 1

Because normally people ask "who is calling?" rather then "who are you?" When responding, you therefore implicitly use the verb previously given - "It is John (calling)"

That's my view anyway.

Answer 2

Because saying It is John is also correct. You are saying WHO IS CALLING so it's "It is John". If you saying "I am John", the question will be WHO ARE YOU.

Answer 3

as a telephone conversation is usually always informal.Plus the person that you are talking to on the other end of the phone does not answer the phone and say I am James they normally answer and just say hello.

Answer 4

It looks more interesting, so the other side doesn't know, who is that John. It is good to be a bit mysterious.

Answer 5

Cos the question's who's calling, not who're you, so the answer will be (it is) John calling(:

Answer 6

I don't .... my Names not John. Hehehehe
I answer "Kirkus" you have a problem with that.

Answer 7

You are presenting only your audio. There fore you are identifying yourself through your voice. When you introduce yourself in person you will say ' I'm John'.

Answer 8

Because the person on the other end wants to know who it is, not who I am.

Answer 9

because the reciever asked the caller indirectly.

"who's calling ?" >>> "it's john"

BUT IF...

"who are you" or "what is your name"

then ...

"I AM JOHN"

or...

John: hello, can i speak to ms joan..?

Operator : who's calling..?

John: tell her (its john)

now the first person is telling the operator to relay the message "it's john"


clear...?

Answer 10

When the phone rings, I usually answer: "Whodis?"
If the person on the other end says, "Huh?"
I say again: "WHODIS?!"
When they start stuttering and stuff, I just hang up.