began calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began calling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the start of an action where someone starts to make phone calls or shout out to someone. Example: "After the meeting ended, she began calling her colleagues to discuss the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Mihdhar began calling Yemen.

The New Yorker

Marc began calling.

The New York Times

Authorities began calling her Baby Doe.

The New Yorker

Frankel began calling around to tequila companies.

The New Yorker

They began calling themselves "the 50G girls".

The New York Times

The crew began calling him Sparky.

The New York Times

Dope fiends, Noah began calling them.

The New Yorker

The homeless began calling their shantytowns "Hoovervilles".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other patients began calling Dr. Simon.

The New York Times - Health

Friends began calling and faxing.

The New Yorker

They began calling him the Silent Chef.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began calling" to clearly indicate the start of a series of phone calls or the initial act of naming something. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "began calling" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Consider alternatives like "commenced calling" or "initiated contact" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began calling" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of an action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe initiating phone calls or the act of naming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began calling" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase indicating the start of an action, typically making phone calls or naming someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing alternatives like "commenced calling" for more formal situations. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as shown by Ludwig examples. Understanding its function and purpose ensures clear and effective communication across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started calling

Replaces "began" with "started", indicating the commencement of calling.

commenced calling

Uses "commenced" for a slightly more formal tone than "began".

proceeded to call

Implies a sequential action following a previous one.

initiated calls

Focuses on the act of initiating calls rather than the process.

took to calling

Suggests a habitual or frequent action of calling.

undertook to call

Emphasizes the initiation of the calling action

started to name

Replaces "calling" with a more general naming action, suitable when not specifically related to phone calls.

started to refer to

Similar to naming, but implies using a specific term or label.

rang up

A more informal and concise way of saying someone called.

dialed up

Emphasizes the action of dialing a phone number.

FAQs

What does "began calling" mean?

"Began calling" signifies the start of making phone calls or, in some contexts, the initial act of referring to someone or something by a specific name or title.

How can I use "began calling" in a sentence?

You can use "began calling" to describe the commencement of phone calls, such as "After the meeting, she "began calling" potential clients". Alternatively, it can describe the act of naming, as in "The media "began calling" him a hero".

Which is a more formal alternative to "began calling"?

A more formal alternative to "began calling" is "commenced calling". This phrase carries a slightly more professional or official tone.

What are some alternatives to "began calling" in different contexts?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "started calling" for a simple substitution or "initiated contact" in a business setting. If referring to naming, phrases like "started to refer to" are suitable.