borderline calls

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borderline calls" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports or decision-making situations where the outcome is uncertain or difficult to determine. Example: "The referee made several borderline calls during the game that left both teams frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The playoffs are casting a brighter spotlight on the issue, with borderline calls in every series.

The New York Times

Trachsel might agree, although he blamed himself for not deserving to get borderline calls.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael Clarke defended his latest failure with the decision review system, and refused to bemoan a number of borderline calls that went against his team – showing greater restraint than his former vice‑captain Shane Watson had when leaving the field.

The Guardian - Sport

In his first start, on April 4 against Tampa Bay, he had thrown only 32 strikes out of 70 pitches, nibbling at the corners of the strike zone without getting borderline calls.

The New York Times - Sports

There were the usual complaints and borderline calls, including a flag thrown on a textbook block in the back by Green Bay on Randall Cobb's touchdown return against San Francisco on Sunday.

The New York Times

Only eight players have drawn more walks than Thomas, who took the first of his 1,628 when Hughes was 4. It would be natural for Thomas to get borderline calls, and he was livid at Miller, storming back to yell at him and earning a quick ejection.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He seemed to have earned the right to get a borderline call.

The New York Times - Sports

In the seventh, Glendon Rusch struck out Williams on a borderline called third strike.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, it was another borderline call in a game that seemed to be full of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Massey crucially made a correct borderline call in the build-up to Liverpool's first goal at Molineux.

The Guardian - Sport

The National Football League fined Wilson for a late hit on quarterback Jeff Garcia that his teammates said was a borderline call.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "borderline calls", ensure the context clearly indicates that the decisions are difficult to assess or are on the edge of what is acceptable within established rules or norms.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline calls" to describe simply bad decisions. The phrase specifically refers to decisions that are difficult to categorize as clearly right or wrong due to their proximity to a defined boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline calls" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a set of judgments or decisions that are difficult to categorize definitively due to their proximity to a defined boundary, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borderline calls" is a noun phrase used to describe decisions or judgments that are difficult to categorize as clearly right or wrong. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and most commonly found in news and sports contexts. While not extremely frequent, it's a useful term for expressing uncertainty or contention about decisions. Consider alternatives like "questionable decisions" or "close calls" depending on the specific context. Remember that the term should be used when decisions are near a defined boundary and not simply to describe clearly incorrect choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close calls

Indicates that the decisions were very near to being incorrect or going the other way.

contentious calls

Highlights the controversial nature and potential for conflict surrounding the calls.

questionable decisions

Refers to decisions where validity or fairness is in doubt; focuses on the decision itself.

gray area calls

Implies that the calls fall into an area where rules or guidelines are not clearly defined.

disputable calls

Emphasizes that the calls are subject to dispute and disagreement.

debatable rulings

Highlights that the rulings are open to debate and disagreement.

ambiguous calls

Highlights the lack of clarity and certainty in the calls.

marginal judgments

Implies that the judgments are just barely within acceptable limits.

uncertain decisions

Emphasizes the lack of certainty and predictability in the decisions.

finely judged calls

Suggests that the calls required very precise and careful judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "borderline calls" in a sentence?

You can use "borderline calls" to describe situations where decisions are difficult to make because they are close to the limit of what is acceptable, such as "The referee made several "borderline calls" during the game".

What's the difference between "borderline calls" and "bad calls"?

"Borderline calls" refers to decisions that are difficult to assess because they are close to the limit of what is acceptable, while "bad calls" indicates decisions that are clearly incorrect or unfair.

What can I say instead of "borderline calls"?

Alternatives to "borderline calls" include "close calls", "questionable decisions", or "contentious calls", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Are "borderline calls" always negative?

Not necessarily. While often used in contexts of complaint or disagreement, "borderline calls" simply indicate decisions that are difficult or finely balanced, rather than inherently negative or positive.