a difficult call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a challenging decision or judgment that needs to be made. Example: "Deciding whether to accept the job offer was a difficult call for her, as it meant moving away from her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

IT WAS a difficult call.

The Economist

A difficult call, as always.

The Guardian

That was reassuring, but hardly a difficult call.

The New York Times

The voter-fraud cases are a difficult call.

The Economist

It is always a difficult call to predict the development of a team four years hence.

Independent

It is a difficult call in a year when Democrats are stretched thin trying to protect seats throughout the country.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

You might discuss a difficult call-out when you finally get time at the end of the shift.

The Guardian - Opinion

Participants completed the same questions with reference to a difficult call-out with which they identified as coping poorly.

Emergency Medicine Journal

The hypothesis tested was that ambulance workers would have made more positive appraisals and fewer negative appraisals during a previous, difficult call-out in which they coped well compared to a difficult call-out in which they coped poorly.

Emergency Medicine Journal

If you go through a particularly difficult call, take a few seconds to breathe if you can, smile and move on to the next call.

WikiHow

"It wasn't a really difficult call but you are obviously leaving behind a dream and a career.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, precede the phrase with an adverb emphasizing the degree of difficulty, such as "particularly a difficult call" or "especially a difficult call".

Common error

While "a difficult call" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound uninspired. Vary your language by using synonyms like "tough decision" or "challenging judgment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult call" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a decision or judgment that is challenging or hard to make. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult call" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a challenging decision or judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, with neutral register, and serves to emphasize the complexity and potential stress of making a decision. While suitable for various contexts, avoiding overuse and employing synonyms like "tough decision" or "challenging judgment" can enhance writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tough decision

Emphasizes the emotional strain and potential negative consequences of the choice.

a hard choice

Highlights the lack of easy or appealing options.

a challenging judgment

Focuses on the cognitive effort and skill required to make the decision.

a problematic verdict

Implies that the decision is likely to cause further issues or disagreement.

a delicate matter

Suggests that the situation requires careful handling and consideration of sensitivities.

a complex determination

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the decision-making process.

a thorny issue

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential for conflict associated with the matter.

a perplexing dilemma

Indicates a state of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the decision.

a knotty problem

Highlights the intricate and difficult-to-resolve nature of the issue.

a vexing question

Suggests that the issue is annoying and difficult to deal with.

FAQs

What does "a difficult call" mean?

The phrase "a difficult call" refers to a situation where a decision or judgment is hard to make due to conflicting factors, uncertainty, or potential negative consequences.

How can I use "a difficult call" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any situation where a decision is challenging, such as: "Deciding whether to invest in the company was "a difficult call", given the market's volatility."

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

You can use alternatives like "a tough decision", "a hard choice", or "a challenging judgment" depending on the context.

Is "a difficult call" formal or informal?

The phrase "a difficult call" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reporting, business discussions, and everyday conversations.