call a cab

USAGE SUMMARY

"call a cab" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to request or summon a taxi or other form of transportation. Here are some examples of when you can use "call a cab": 1. "I had too much to drink, so I decided to call a cab instead of driving home." 2. "The hotel concierge kindly offered to call a cab for the guests who needed transportation to the airport." 3. "To get to the concert on time, we should call a cab to avoid traffic." 4. "My phone battery died and I couldn't use my ride-sharing app, so I had to walk to the nearest payphone to call a cab." 5. "The stranded hiker used his satellite phone to call a cab to take him back to the trailhead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'll call a cab.

The New Yorker

You can call a cab from there.

The New Yorker

In bad weather, I call a cab.

The New York Times

"Here, they'll call a cab for us in the lobby".

The New Yorker

"Now I always call a cab," she said.

The New York Times

It cannot call a cab or do other errands.

The Guardian

I'll call a cab if you want me to.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had already called a cab.

The New Yorker

[It's] about playing music through Spotify, or calling a cab using Uber.

Independent

Then he calls a cab and I'm off, waving goodbye.

The Guardian - Books

She donned the costume and went downstairs and called a cab.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation. While "call a cab" is generally acceptable, "order a taxi" might be more appropriate in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "call a cab" in situations where ride-sharing services are the primary mode of transportation. Instead, use "request a ride" to be more inclusive of options like Uber or Lyft.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call a cab" functions as a verb phrase used to request transportation from a taxi service. As shown in Ludwig, it's a common way to express the need for a taxi to come to a specific location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call a cab" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to request a taxi. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, with usage ranging from news articles to general guides. While alternatives such as "order a taxi" or "request a ride" may be more suitable in specific contexts (formal versus ride-sharing apps), "call a cab" remains a widely understood and frequently used way to describe the act of summoning a taxi service. It is important to consider the context and choose the phrasing that best fits the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

order a taxi

Replaces "cab" with the more formal "taxi", maintaining the same meaning.

phone for a cab

Specifies using a phone to request a cab.

book a cab

Suggests making a reservation for a taxi in advance.

get a taxi

A simpler and more direct way to express the need for a taxi.

reserve a taxi

Similar to "book a cab", indicating an advance reservation.

arrange for a taxi

Implies making arrangements for a taxi, often through a third party.

request a ride

A more general term that can encompass various transportation services, including ride-sharing apps.

summon a taxi

A more formal and less common way to say "call a cab".

hail a taxi

Implies stopping a taxi that is already in service, rather than requesting one.

get a ride

More general; could refer to any type of transportation, not just a taxi.

FAQs

What's the difference between "call a cab" and "hail a cab"?

"Call a cab" implies requesting a taxi to come to your location, often by phone or app. "Hail a taxi" means to signal a taxi that is already driving by, usually with a hand gesture.

Are there more formal alternatives to "call a cab"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "order a taxi", "book a cab", or "arrange for a taxi" in more formal contexts.

Can I use "call a cab" when I'm using a ride-sharing app?

While technically you are requesting a car, it's more common to say "request a ride" when using apps like Uber or Lyft.

Is "call a cab" still commonly used, given the popularity of ride-sharing apps?

Yes, "call a cab" remains a common phrase, although the specific method of requesting the taxi might now involve an app instead of a phone call. It is still applicable when you want to request a traditional taxi service.