a courtesy call

USAGE SUMMARY

"a courtesy call" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a phone call that is made as a polite or friendly gesture, as opposed to an obligatory or necessary one. For example, "I received a courtesy call from my boss this morning to check in on how I was doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a courtesy call.

The New Yorker

So Flaherty went to pay a courtesy call in Chicago.

The Washington Post

Not even a courtesy call, as Martinez has wryly noted.

The New York Times - Sports

But when they call you, even at dinnertime, then it's a "courtesy call".

The New York Times

At one point, Anne Natalie Portmann) paid her a courtesy call.

The New Yorker

Byrd knew nothing about Stallings but placed a courtesy call anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

Before announcing the deal, Mordashov paid a courtesy call to the Kremlin.

The Guardian - Business

"We simply didn't get a courtesy call before he gave a contract out to other people".

The New York Times

"I wouldn't call it a courtesy call," he said in an interview.

The New York Times - Tech

He said that he had a courtesy call with Ms. Black when she was appointed, but nothing since.

The New York Times

The Mothers of Srebrenica were last century's news, and Annan's visit to them was a courtesy call.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates that the call is not strictly necessary but made out of goodwill or respect.

Common error

Avoid using "a courtesy call" if the communication is essential or mandatory. The phrase implies a voluntary gesture, not a required action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a courtesy call" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "pay," "make," "receive"). It describes an action performed out of politeness or custom, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a courtesy call" is a common phrase that describes a polite and often expected communication, whether it's a phone call or a visit. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context reflects the voluntary and respectful nature of the communication. Alternatives such as "polite inquiry" or "friendly check-in" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A polite inquiry

Focuses on the politeness of the communication, omitting the expected nature of a call.

A call out of respect

Highlights the respectful intention behind the communication

A friendly check-in

Emphasizes the informal and amicable aspect of the communication.

A call to touch base

Implies a brief and informal communication to update on progress.

A routine contact

Highlights the regular or scheduled nature of the communication.

A show of respect

Highlights the respectful intention behind the action.

A diplomatic overture

Suggests a more formal and strategic approach to the communication.

A goodwill visit

Emphasizes the intention to foster positive relations through the visit.

An obligatory visit

Emphasizes the required nature of the communication, lacking the politeness aspect.

A get-acquainted visit

Highlights that the goal is to know each other in person.

FAQs

How to use "a courtesy call" in a sentence?

"A courtesy call" is used to describe a visit or call made as a polite gesture. For example, "Before announcing the deal, Mordashov paid "a courtesy call" to the Kremlin."

What can I say instead of "a courtesy call"?

You can use alternatives like "polite inquiry", "friendly check-in", or "diplomatic overture" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a courtesy call" or "a courtesy visit"?

Both "a courtesy call" and "a courtesy visit" are correct, but "a courtesy call" often implies a phone call, while "a courtesy visit" refers to an in-person visit.

What's the difference between "a courtesy call" and "a social call"?

"A courtesy call" is often more formal and related to professional or diplomatic contexts, while "a social call" is typically for personal and informal visits.