an initial call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first communication or conversation in a series, often in a business or project context. Example: "During our initial call, we discussed the project's objectives and timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Are you ready for a Tahrir moment?" an initial call to action demanded.

The New York Times

The Irish woman held captive made an initial call to the Freedom Charity on Friday 18 October, after watching a TV documentary.

The Guardian

After an initial call to repentance (chapter 1, verses 1 6), Zechariah had a series of eight visions (chapter 1, verse 7 to chapter 6, verse 15).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Orlando's Jameer Nelson appeared to tie it with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but an official review upheld an initial call of no basket.

The New York Times - Sports

The Brazilian government, in contrast, seems more concerned with guaranteeing that a full deployment of 5,000 troops, down from an initial call for 6,500, is achieved in August.

The New York Times

After an initial call over the weekend, spots are filling up quickly, but there is still room for several more.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

An initial call-out to friends has ballooned into a festival that has grown exponentially.

Vice

This is not a strong initial call to action — nor is it a strong first impression from a man asking you to make him the next president of the United States.

The New York Times

Unless there are immediate concerns regarding the caller's safety they will receive a phone call back from a PANDA volunteer or telephone counsellor, depending on the caller's needs, to enable a thorough initial call to be undertaken.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

When firefighters finally found them, about an hour after their initial call, the two men were standing atop the plastic cart they had been using to transport supplies between floors.

The New York Times

He said that on multiple occasions when a patient called and asked to see a clinician, the patient would be told to come into a facility on a date beyond the two-week window, but the facility would not keep a record of that initial call.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of communications, use "an initial call" to clearly indicate the first interaction. This sets the context for subsequent exchanges and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial call" when it's already clear from the context that you're referring to the first communication. For example, instead of saying "After the initial call, we scheduled a follow-up call", you can simply say "After the call, we scheduled a follow-up call" if it's understood to be the first one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial call" functions as a noun phrase. It commonly serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the first instance of communication, as demonstrated by Ludwig in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6.666666666666667%

Encyclopedias

3.3333333333333335%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial call" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that refers to the first communication in a series of interactions. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically functioning as a noun phrase. It is versatile and appears in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure it adds clarity by specifying the commencement of a series of communications, and avoid redundancy by only using it when referring to the first contact is not already implied. Consider alternatives like "a preliminary call" or "an introductory call" to add nuance or specificity. Overall, "an initial call" is a reliable way to describe the start of a dialogue or process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a first call

Emphasizes the sequence of the call being the first one, maintaining the basic meaning.

a preliminary call

Suggests the call is exploratory and precedes further action, adding a nuance of investigation.

an introductory call

Highlights the purpose of the call as an introduction, useful in professional contexts.

a starting call

Focuses on the call as the beginning of a process or relationship, highlighting the commencement aspect.

an opening call

Indicates the call initiates a conversation or series of communications, with a slightly more formal tone.

an original call

Stresses the call's uniqueness as the first one made, differing slightly from the original in emphasis.

the first contact

Replaces 'call' with a broader term 'contact', useful when the communication method is not necessarily a phone call.

the initial contact

A more formal version of 'first contact', appropriate for professional or official settings.

a kick-off call

Suggests the call initiates a project or activity, more specific in context than the original phrase.

an exploratory call

Highlights the investigative aspect of the call, suggesting information gathering as its primary purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial call" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial call" to describe the first communication or contact made in a series of interactions. For example, "An initial call was made to assess the client's needs".

What are some alternatives to "an initial call"?

Some alternatives include "a preliminary call", "an introductory call", or "the first contact", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "an initial call" or "the initial call"?

Both "an initial call" and "the initial call" can be correct, depending on the context. Use "an initial call" when referring to a general first call. Use "the initial call" when referring to a specific first call already mentioned or understood.

What's the difference between "an initial call" and "a follow-up call"?

"An initial call" refers to the first communication, usually to establish contact or gather basic information. A "follow-up call" is a subsequent communication made to continue the conversation, provide updates, or address any remaining issues.