a fleeting call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fleeting call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or momentary communication, often implying that it was not substantial or lasting. Example: "During the meeting, I received a fleeting call from my colleague, but I couldn't catch what they were saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unfortunately, he has never made a recruiting speech -- even his most recent remarks had only a fleeting call to arms at the end.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even what scientists hope to find in the aftermath of those particle collisions sound fantastical: A fleeting particle called the Higgs boson, known ominously as the "god particle".

Forbes

Some of these numbers will hold great importance, become the pillars upon which love affairs, life-saving friendships, international diplomatic relations and drug addictions are built, while others will merely be conduits for fleeting calls and texts, vocal or written blue moonery that will soon evanesce into the matrix like all the other pointless digits that surround us in our lives.

Vice

Kerry reportedly sought to reassure Li that the talk in Congress and financial circles of a possible default on U.S. debts was a fleeting political dispute, calling it "a moment in Washington politics" that will be resolved before it becomes a problem, news agencies, including Voice of America, reported.

Los Angeles Times

They camp out in the summer months in tents and trucks, hoping for prints, or a cry, or even a fleeting glimpse of the creatures they call "our barefoot friends".

The Guardian

Ann's mother lived this sentence, this shapeless continuous performance, occasionally making random accidental calls, as a fleeting piece of will or inadvertency exerted itself.

The New Yorker

The presence of a particular species in an area may be more easily discerned by its characteristic call than by a fleeting glimpse of the animal itself.

Wikipedia

Everyone who goes has that one memory that encapsulates the experience; a fleeting joy we have taken to calling that Glastonbury moment.

Independent

When exposed to light, the theory says, molecules called cryptochromes undergo a fleeting change in their atomic makeup whose length depends on their alignment with a field.

BBC

From the next century-and-a-half, only a few more examples have been identified, none calling for more than a fleeting instance of the form.

Wikipedia

Vidal's only reference to McCain's opponent is a fleeting reference to "the United States of America, as Mr. Obama likes to call it".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fleeting call", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended brevity and insignificance of the communication. This phrase works best when emphasizing the call's minimal impact or duration.

Common error

Avoid using "a fleeting call" to describe a communication that ultimately had a significant impact, even if it was initially brief. This can mislead the reader about the call's true importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fleeting call" functions as a noun phrase, where "fleeting" modifies the noun "call". It describes the call and suggests that it's brief, transient, or quickly disappearing. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fleeting call" is a noun phrase used to describe a brief and often inconsequential phone call or communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts to emphasize the short duration and potential insignificance of the call. Consider using alternatives like "a brief call" or "a quick call" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief communication

Replaces "fleeting" with "brief", emphasizing the short duration of the communication.

a momentary phone call

Substitutes "fleeting" with "momentary" and specifies it's a phone call, focusing on the very short duration.

a rapid communication

Highlights the speed of the communication, similar to a "fleeting" event.

a passing phone call

Replaces 'fleeting' with 'passing,' indicating something that doesn't last long or isn't significant.

a split-second call

Emphasizes the extreme brevity of the call, suggesting it was almost instantaneous.

a flash call

Implies the call was very short and appeared suddenly, like a flash.

a quick ring

Uses a more informal term "ring" and implies a very rapid call.

a lightning call

Uses a metaphor to describe the call as being as quick and sudden as lightning.

a short telephone conversation

Replaces "call" with a more detailed description, clarifying the nature and brevity of the communication.

a transient call

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "fleeting", suggesting something that quickly disappears.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fleeting call" to describe a brief or quickly passing phone call, such as: "I received "a fleeting call" during the meeting, but I couldn't answer it."

What is a good alternative to "a fleeting call"?

Some alternatives to "a fleeting call" include "a brief call", "a quick call", or "a momentary call", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a fleeting call" formal or informal?

"A fleeting call" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from using "brief communication".

What does "a fleeting call" imply about the call itself?

"A fleeting call" suggests that the call was not only short in duration but also possibly insignificant or inconsequential. It emphasizes the transient nature of the communication.