I decided to call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I decided to call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a choice or conclusion to make a phone call, often in a narrative or explanatory context. Example: "After much consideration, I decided to call my friend to discuss the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I decided to call the Detlors.

The New York Times

I decided to call Verizon, and asked.

The New York Times

I decided to call an ambulance.

The New Yorker

I decided to call for help.

The Guardian

I decided to call an expert to test my theory.

The New York Times

I decided to call them the Stenmark Brothers.

The Guardian - Books

So I decided to call myself a Happy Feminist.

The Guardian - Books

So I decided to call it "place lag".

The Guardian - Travel

I decided to call and do just that.

The New York Times

Call me.' And right then I decided to call the F.B.I".

The New Yorker

"I decided to call my mom, ask her," Arlene Castro said in the interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I decided to call" when you want to clearly state your conscious decision to make a phone call. It's suitable for narratives and explanations where your choice is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "decided" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms like "chose", "opted", or "resolved" to make your writing more engaging and less monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I decided to call" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past decision to initiate a phone call. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I decided to call" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a past decision to make a phone call. According to Ludwig, it's widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "I chose to call" or "I opted to call" can enhance your writing. Avoid overuse of 'decided' close together for a smoother, more engaging text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I resolved to call

Replaces "decided" with "resolved", emphasizing a firm decision.

I made the decision to call

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating the decision-making process.

I came to the conclusion to call

Highlights the reasoning process leading to the decision.

I opted to call

Uses "opted" as a synonym for "decided", suggesting a choice between options.

I chose to call

Uses "chose" to highlight the selection of calling as an option.

I determined to call

Suggests a more deliberate and determined approach.

I thought I would call

Softens the decision, implying it was a spontaneous thought.

I felt compelled to call

Indicates an internal pressure or strong urge to make the call.

I figured I'd call

Implies a more casual and informal decision.

I had the idea to call

Focuses on the initial thought or suggestion that led to the call.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I decided to call"?

You can use alternatives like "I chose to call", "I opted to call", or "I resolved to call" depending on the context.

How to use "I decided to call" in a sentence?

Use "I decided to call" to express your conscious decision to contact someone by phone. For example, "After considering all options, I decided to call the customer support line."

What's the difference between "I decided to call" and "I had to call"?

"I decided to call" implies a choice, while "I had to call" indicates a necessity or obligation. The former suggests volition, the latter, compulsion.

Is it correct to say "I decided to phoning" instead of "I decided to call"?

No, "I decided to phoning" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I decided to call" or, alternatively, "I decided to phone".