1.   He had heard the phone ring but did not listen to what was said.

2.   If the phone rings you know your dialer and modem are talking to each other properly.

3.   Next time the phone rings or there is a knock on the door, just pause for a moment instead of reacting immediately.

4.   The phone rings and he retires to the office to attend to it.

5.   The phone rings and you have to pick it up by the fourth ring or it rolls over to the message service.

6.   If you are on a call, and you hear another phone ring and there is no one else about to answer it.

7.   If you are on a personal call, and another phones rings, ask the caller to call you back later.

8.   Sometimes my own phone rings, and the voice that answers it is here inside the room, emerging from somewhere about the point where my two shirtsleeves meet.

9.   A trio of dogs peer through the kitchen window and bark at scrambling strangers as the phone rings incessantly.

10.   But for some people -- especially those running home offices or small businesses -- it would be nice to hear the phone ring right away.