call him

USAGE SUMMARY

'call him' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that you or someone else should telephone someone else. Example sentence: Please call him and remind him about the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Call him Mr. Mortarboard.

The New York Times

Call him Socrates".

The New York Times - Sports

They call him Mucus.

The New York Times

Guys call him Scribbles.

The New York Times

Call him Jhonny.

The New Yorker

I'll call him myself".

The New Yorker

Don't call him Edgar.

The New Yorker

Haters call him Djokobitch.

The New Yorker

"Kanjo," they call him.

The New York Times

Call him Nick.

The New York Times

Call him loverboy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to telephone another person, clarify the purpose of the call for better understanding.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear whether you're instructing someone to make a phone call or to refer to someone by a specific name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call him" functions primarily as an imperative, directing someone to perform an action, usually to make a phone call. It can also function as a suggestion to refer to someone by a particular name or title, as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call him" is a grammatically correct and versatile imperative commonly used to instruct someone to make a phone call or to suggest referring to someone by a specific name. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's broadly accepted in written English. With its frequent appearance in news media, scientific articles, and academic papers, its register is generally considered neutral, though context dictates the most appropriate usage. When suggesting alternatives, options like "telephone him" or "refer to him as" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing to avoid ambiguity regarding the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Telephone him

Focuses specifically on making a phone call.

Give him a call

Emphasizes the act of calling someone.

Ring him up

An informal way to say call him.

Get in touch with him

Broader than just calling, including other forms of communication.

Reach out to him

Similar to getting in touch, but slightly more proactive.

Contact him

A general term for making contact, not necessarily by phone.

Refer to him as

Focuses on how to name or address someone.

Address him as

Similar to referring to someone, emphasizing the form of address.

Designate him

Suggests officially assigning a name or title.

Dub him

Implies giving someone a nickname or informal title.

FAQs

How do I use "call him" in a sentence?

Use "call him" to instruct someone to make a phone call or to suggest referring to someone by a specific name. Example: "Call him tomorrow to confirm the appointment" or "You can "call him" Mr. Smith if you prefer".

What can I say instead of "call him" when referring to someone by a different name?

Alternatives include "refer to him as", "address him as", or "designate him as". For example: "Instead of his given name, "refer to him as" 'Chief'".

Is it appropriate to use "call him" in formal writing?

Yes, "call him" is generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and purpose of communication. For highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "contact him" if referring to a phone call.

When should I use "give him a call" instead of "call him"?

"Give him a call" is a more casual way to suggest someone should telephone someone. Use it when speaking informally, whereas "call him" is suitable in both informal and neutral registers.