I am calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "I am calling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are attempting to communicate with someone over the phone. Example: "I am calling to confirm my appointment for next Tuesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I am calling the police".

The New Yorker

I am calling to apologise.

The Guardian

I am calling Obama this afternoon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I am calling on you to prevent these needless deaths".

The New York Times

I am calling on campers to leave voluntarily".

The New York Times

I am calling on council to pass an enhanced ind.

Independent

So I am calling on businesses to help with this.

The Guardian

I am calling on the IPCC to fully investigate".

The Guardian - Sport

I am calling on behalf of the Home Team".

The New York Times

"I am calling this terrible police work," he said.

The New York Times

I am calling on parliament to show its will tomorrow".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are calling on behalf of someone else, explicitly mention that at the start, for instance, "I am calling on behalf of the Home Team".

Common error

While acceptable in spoken English, repeatedly starting sentences with "I am calling" in written communication can sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using phrases like "This call is to…" or "I'm reaching out regarding…" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am calling" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is happening at the moment of speaking or writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a common construction to communicate the initiation of a phone call.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I am calling" is a very common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is currently making a phone call. Ludwig AI highlights its proper usage in contemporary English, noting its role in introducing the purpose of the call. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears frequently in business contexts and scientific material. Alternatives such as "I'm phoning" or "I'm contacting you" may be more suitable depending on the desired level of formality. While versatile, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in written content to maintain engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm phoning

Uses "phoning" as a synonym for "calling", providing a slightly more informal tone.

I'm ringing

Uses "ringing" as a synonym for calling, common in British English.

I'm giving you a call

Emphasizes the action of initiating a call, often used to explain the reason for calling.

I'm telephoning

Replaces "calling" with "telephoning", which is a more formal and less common alternative.

I'm on the phone

Indicates that the speaker is currently engaged in a phone conversation.

I'm speaking to you by phone

Highlights the medium of communication being used.

I'm trying to reach you

Suggests an attempt to connect, often implying difficulty in establishing contact.

I'm contacting you

A formal way of saying you are getting in touch, suitable for business contexts.

I'm reaching out

Offers a broader sense of making contact, not necessarily via phone.

I'm getting in touch

A more general way of saying that you are making contact with someone.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "I am calling"?

In a professional context, you might prefer phrases like "I am contacting you" or "I am reaching out". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

Is it okay to say "I'm calling" instead of "I am calling"?

Yes, "I'm calling" is a perfectly acceptable contraction of "I am calling" and is commonly used in both spoken and written English. It maintains the same meaning and is often preferred in informal settings.

What can I say instead of "I am calling" when the reason for the call is to ask for something?

You can use phrases like "I am calling to request" or "I am calling regarding". Be specific about what you are asking for or the topic you want to discuss.

How can I use "I am calling" effectively in a professional email?

In an email, start with "I am calling to follow up on our previous conversation" or "I am calling to schedule a meeting". Ensure your purpose is clear and concise.