a preliminary call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial conversation or discussion that serves as a precursor to a more detailed meeting or engagement. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, let's schedule a preliminary call to discuss our objectives and expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With the approval of Jeffrey H. Loria, the owner of the team, Beinfest made a preliminary call to McKeon on Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The school's mental health culture has recently become a hot-button topic on campus, after student journalists at the Stanford Review reported that in the wake of January's student suicide, those who sought counseling from CAPS faced a two-day wait period before a preliminary "screening call" could be conducted.

Vice

The school's mental health culture has recently become a hot-button topic on campus, after student journalists at the Stanford Review reported that in the wake of January's student suicide, those who sought counselling from CAPS faced a two-day wait period before a preliminary "screening call" could be conducted.

Vice

The questionnaire was emailed to facilities for self-completion after a preliminary telephone call or administered during face-to-face interviews.

BMC Health Services Research

Women were asked about their participation in physical exercise and walking at a preliminary phone call before any visits took place.

BMC Health Services Research

Comparing response rates between population-based studies of joint disease is difficult, due to differences in recruitment scope (e.g. local, regional or national sampling), differences in the way potential participants are approached (e.g. with a preliminary telephone call or introductory letter) and possible cultural differences between settings which could affect research participation.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The leafy shoots (often called gametophores, because they bear the sex organs) arise from a preliminary phase called the protonema, the direct product of spore germination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In July, Dr. Crawley weighed in with a preliminary report calling the 1998 study trustworthy.

The New York Times

During the weighing step, the matrix A undergoes a preliminary transformation called weight function, defined as the product of a number that represents a local weighing by another that represents a global weighing.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

A preliminary project called Mini-OTEC, located on a raft just offshore, had been declared a success.

Huffington Post

On the basis of these data, we proposed a preliminary model called ECM+RMCG for the VISA phenotype as a benchmark for future efforts.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary call", ensure the context clearly indicates what the call is preliminary to. Provide enough information so the reader understands the purpose of the initial communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a preliminary call" when a simpler term like "initial call" or "introductory call" suffices. Overusing "preliminary" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary call" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an initial phone conversation serving as an introduction or preparation for subsequent interactions or activities. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in professional and organizational contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary call" is a noun phrase used to describe an initial telephone conversation conducted in preparation for something more substantial. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. Its usage is primarily observed in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a professional or structured interaction. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the purpose of the initial call and consider using alternatives like "an initial call" or "an introductory call" for simplicity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial call

Emphasizes that the call is the first in a series or process.

a preparatory call

Highlights the call's purpose of preparing for something more substantial.

a precursory call

Indicates the call is a forerunner to a more detailed discussion or meeting.

an introductory call

Focuses on the call as an introduction to a topic or relationship.

a first call

A simpler way to convey that it's the beginning of communication.

a screening call

Highlights the purpose of the call to evaluate the potential for something.

an exploratory call

Indicates that the call is meant to explore possibilities or gather information.

an advance call

Suggests the call takes place ahead of schedule or before a main event.

a baseline call

Emphasizes that the call establishes a starting point or benchmark.

an initial consultation

More formal and emphasizes professional advice or discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary call" to describe an initial conversation before a more detailed meeting or project. For example, "We scheduled "a preliminary call" to discuss the project scope."

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

You can use alternatives like "an initial call", "an introductory call", or "a screening call" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a preliminary call"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that the call is an initial step or preparation for something more significant. This term suggests a more formal or structured context than just "a call".

What's the difference between "a preliminary call" and "a casual conversation"?

"A preliminary call" implies a planned discussion with a specific purpose, often leading to further action. "A casual conversation" is more informal and lacks a defined objective.