call at

USAGE SUMMARY

"call at" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean visit a place or a person or to make a telephone call. For example, "I will call at your house later this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food & Drink

Travel

Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She got the call at home.

The New Yorker

Friends may call at Frank E. Campbell.

The New York Times

I would call at night.

The New York Times

Some didn't write or call at all.

The New York Times

Yet another challenged call at first base.

The New Yorker

Obama joined the call at one point.

The Guardian

We got a call at 8.30am.

The Guardian - Music

A phone call at 2 a.m.

The New York Times

RESERVATIONS Call at least a week ahead.

The New York Times - Food

Friends may call at the I.J.

The New York Times

RESERVATIONS: Call at least 5 days ahead.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call at" to mean make a phone call, specify the time or context if relevant. For example, "I will call at 8 PM to discuss the details."

Common error

Avoid using "call at" interchangeably with phrases like "call to" or "call on" as they have different meanings. "Call to" suggests summoning or attracting attention, while "call on" means to formally visit or request something from someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "call at" functions as a verb phrase indicating either a brief visit to a location or the act of making a phone call. This dual function is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call at" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to visit a place or to make a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, from news reports to travel itineraries. While generally neutral in tone, it tends to be more professional in business and travel-related content. It's important to differentiate it from similar phrases like "call to" or "call on" to avoid confusion. With very common usage, particularly in news and business contexts, mastering the nuances of "call at" will improve clarity and precision in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visit

Indicates a physical presence or stop at a location, similar to one sense of "call at".

stop by

Implies a brief visit to a place or person.

phone

Refers to making a telephone call, one of the senses of "call at".

give a call

Similar to 'phone', emphasizing the act of making a phone call.

make a call

Another way to express the act of calling someone.

ring

A more informal way to describe making a phone call.

touch base

Suggests making contact, often for a brief update or check-in.

check in

Implies making contact to report one's status or presence.

drop in

Suggests an informal and often unannounced visit.

get in touch

A general term for making contact with someone.

FAQs

How can I use "call at" in a sentence?

You can use "call at" to mean visit a place, as in "The ship will "call at" several ports", or to make a phone call, as in "I'll "call at" your office later today".

What does "call at" mean?

"Call at" can mean to visit a place briefly or to make a telephone call to a specific location or person. The meaning is often context-dependent.

What can I say instead of "call at" when referring to a visit?

Alternatives to "call at" when referring to a visit include "stop by", "visit", or "drop in". For example, "I'll "stop by" your house later".

Is it correct to say "call to" instead of "call at"?

The phrase "call to" has a different meaning than "call at". "Call to" typically means to summon or attract attention, whereas "call at" means to visit or make a phone call. Therefore, they are not interchangeable.