as first call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as first call" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate priority or initial choice, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "We should consider the most qualified candidate as first call for the position."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Serving as first call for severe injuries.

Cover Letter

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The standards of the program are such that a few Hall graduates, such as Brad Mehldau, a pianist, and Joel Frahm, a tenor saxophonist, have gone on to careers as first-call jazz musicians, while many others have earned scholarships to colleges and music conservatories.

The New York Times

Andy can't wait to get rolling as soon as the first call comes in over the car radio.

The New York Times

For the economy as a whole, national accounts need to provide for this capital maintenance as a first call on its revenue.

The Guardian

It can also block prosecutions by invoking the ICC tenet of "complementarity," which recognizes national courts as having the first call for instituting legal proceedings.

Huffington Post

He even reportedly got heated about it during his first call as president with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Vice

Colloquium participants reconfirmed strong support for the option of strengthening health systems in source countries, stressing this as the option of first call.

Human Resources for Health

It was Kasrils whom Fezekile, also known as Fezeka, first called after the alleged rape by Zuma in the spare bedroom of his Johannesburg home on the night of Wednesday 2 November 2005.

The Guardian

But enthusiasm about the programme's early success has been dampened by uncertainty over whether the programme will in fact create permanent space for RyC researchers within the Spanish system as the first calls promised.

Science Magazine

When we mourn them, we mourn what they symbolized to us, the mythic 'archetype' -- as Carl Jung first called it -- they play in a culture's imagination.

Huffington Post

These sponsorships -- "adoptions," as he first called them -- were so successful that they formed the basis of a new organization: China's Children Fund.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, substitute "as first call" with more recognized phrases like "as a priority" or "as the first choice". These alternatives enhance comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "as first call" when standard idioms such as "first choice" or "primary option" would be clearer and more readily understood. The phrase may be misinterpreted due to its non-standard construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as first call" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe a noun or action as being the initial or prioritized option. However, this usage is non-standard and can lead to confusion, as noted by Ludwig. A more precise expression is often required.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as first call" aims to denote priority or initial action, it is not a standard English idiom and is therefore prone to misinterpretation. Ludwig suggests that it's better to use clearer alternatives such as "as a priority", "as the first choice", or "as the primary option". The phrase appears sporadically across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, but its frequency remains rare. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, writers should opt for more conventional phrasing, as using "as first call" may lead to misunderstanding due to its non-standard construction. Due to its uncommon usage, Ludwig AI marks it as problematic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the primary choice

Emphasizes the preferred or most important selection.

as the first option

This focuses on the order of preference or selection.

as the initial point of contact

This alternative specifies the role as the initial contact person or department.

as the first line of action

Highlights the immediate step to be taken.

as the initial recourse

Indicates the first option to turn to for help or resolution.

as the preferred method

Suggests a favored or recommended approach.

as the starting point

Focuses on the beginning or origin of a process.

as the first responder

Specifically relates to emergency or immediate assistance.

as the leading approach

Implies a dominant or most advanced strategy.

as the preliminary measure

Highlights the initial step taken before further actions.

FAQs

What does "as first call" mean?

The phrase "as first call" is not a standard idiom. It might be intended to mean "as a priority" or "as the first choice", but it's better to use those alternatives for clarity.

How can I rephrase "as first call" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "as a priority", "as the first choice", or "as the primary option" depending on the context.

Is "as first call" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "as first call" is not a commonly used or recognized phrase. It's advisable to use more standard expressions for better communication.

What's the difference between "as first call" and "first choice"?

"First choice" is a common and easily understood idiom meaning the preferred option. "As first call" is less clear and could be misinterpreted; therefore, "first choice" is generally preferred.