a phone call

USAGE SUMMARY

"a phone call" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "I received a phone call from my grandmother today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A phone call.

The New York Times

Making a phone call.

Cornell University

A phone call for me?

The New Yorker

Then came a phone call.

Independent

Not even a phone call.

Independent

They get a phone call".

The New York Times - Books

Or a phone call.

Harvard Business Review

Not a phone call.

The New York Times

"A phone call here, a phone call there.

The New Yorker

Obama made a phone call.

The Washington Post

It only takes a phone call.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive alternatives like "a mobile call" or "a telephone conversation" for clarity or emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect articles before "phone call". For example, using "the phone call" when "a phone call" is more appropriate for introducing the concept for the first time. If you have already referred to the call previously, then using "the phone call" is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a phone call" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, representing the act of making or receiving a telephone call. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a phone call" is a very common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the act of making or receiving a call. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business communications. When writing, it's important to use the correct article ("a" or "the") depending on whether you're introducing the concept for the first time or referring to a specific call. Consider alternatives like "a telephone conversation" or simply "a call" depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a call

Simplifies the phrase by removing "phone".

a telephone conversation

Replaces "call" with a more formal term "conversation".

a telephone call

More formal than "a phone call".

a call on the phone

Rephrases the sentence to include the prepositional phrase.

a voice call

Specifies that the call is a voice call instead of a video call.

a mobile call

Specifies that the call is made through a mobile phone.

a quick call

Highlights that the call will be short.

a scheduled call

The call was agreed upon to be made at a specific time.

a ring

Informal way to refer to a call, focusing on the action of the phone ringing.

a line

Emphasizes making contact through a telephone line.

FAQs

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

You can use "a phone call" to describe the action of calling someone or receiving a call. For example, "I made "a phone call" to my doctor this morning", or "She received "a phone call" from her sister yesterday".

What are some alternatives to saying "a phone call"?

Alternatives include "a telephone conversation", "a mobile call", or simply "a call", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a phone call" and "the phone call"?

"A phone call" is used when referring to a general instance of calling someone, whereas "the phone call" refers to a specific call that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood by the listener.

Which is more formal: "a phone call" or "a telephone call"?

A telephone call is slightly more formal than "a phone call", but both are widely accepted in most contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference and the overall tone of your writing.