I rang him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I rang him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making a phone call to someone, typically in British English. Example: "After thinking it over, I decided to ring him to discuss the matter further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

So I rang him.

The Guardian

I rang him back.

The Washington Post

I rang him up.

The Guardian - Business

I rang him to protest.

The Guardian

"I rang him, very nervously..

The Guardian - Books

I rang him and said 'I've been sacked'.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I ring him just before filing this article.

The Guardian

I rung him and then flew down to Hyderabad.

The Guardian - Sport

" I ring him up and say thank you, just so they've spoken to the man who made their watch.

The New York Times

I ring him to tell him he's been voted a top chutzperian in the Guardian's (admittedly unofficial) survey.

The Guardian

I ring him up and ask him if he feels he can talk about it on the record.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an international audience, consider using the more universally understood phrase "I called him" instead of "I rang him" to avoid confusion.

Common error

While "I rang him" is perfectly acceptable in informal and neutral contexts, it might sound slightly colloquial in formal or business writing. Opt for "I called him" or "I contacted him" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I rang him" functions as a main clause within a sentence, expressing a completed action of making a phone call. Ludwig examples confirm its role in narrating past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I rang him" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, particularly in British English, to describe the act of making a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in various news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable in most situations, consider using alternatives like "I called him" in more formal settings or when addressing an international audience to avoid potential confusion. Its frequency is very common, primarily appearing in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I called him

A more common and general alternative, suitable for both British and American English.

I phoned him

Similar to "I called him", but slightly more formal.

I gave him a call

Emphasizes the action of calling.

I telephoned him

A more formal and less common alternative.

I reached out to him by phone

Highlights the attempt to connect with the person.

I contacted him by phone

Focuses on making contact, not specifically ringing.

I got in touch with him by phone

Implies a successful connection after an attempt.

I made a call to him

A slightly more formal way of saying "I called him".

I dialed his number

Focuses on the action of dialing.

I communicated with him by phone

A broader term referring to phone communication.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I rang him" and "I called him"?

"I rang him" is more common in British English, while "I called him" is widely used in both British and American English. The meaning is the same, but the usage varies geographically.

Is "I rang him" formal or informal?

"I rang him" is generally considered neutral to informal. For more formal situations, consider using "I contacted him".

What can I say instead of "I rang him"?

You can use alternatives such as "I called him", "I phoned him", or "I gave him a call", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I rang to him"?

No, it is not correct to say "I rang to him". The correct phrasing is "I rang him". The verb "ring" takes a direct object.