call into

USAGE SUMMARY

"call into" is a grammatically correct and a legitimate phrase used in written English.
You use it when you are referring to speaking to someone on the telephone or visiting somewhere, often for a short period of time. Example: I need to call into the bank before I pick up my kids.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His paintings call into question the very idea of painting.

The Economist

WHAT did one widely publicized 2005 study call into question?

The New York Times

They didn't call into question their choices or competencies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such concessions would call into question the regime's legitimacy.

The New York Times

It would call into question Ofgem's past judgment".

The Guardian - Business

But at a certain point, higher yields call into question Italy's solvency, and demand actually falls.

The Economist

Ann Beirne I think Cameron was right to call into question Brown's integrity.

Independent

Attacks elsewhere would call into question Putin's ability to guarantee security.

Independent

"Just hypothetically, that could call into question his credibility and stewardship".

The New York Times

In magic, words create and call into being what they state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the killings could call into question how much control Mr. Ouattara has over his forces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call into" when you want to describe a quick visit or a phone call, often in a business or professional context.

Common error

While "call into" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from using phrases like "contact" or "visit" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call into" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "call" with the preposition "into". According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and used to indicate making a phone call or a brief visit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call into" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it primarily serves to indicate making a phone call or visiting a place briefly. While its usage is generally neutral, it's more common in news and media and scientific contexts. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "contact by phone", "phone", or "visit" may be suitable depending on the specific context. When used in the context of "call into question", it means to challenge or raise doubts about something, and can be replaced with options such as "challenge" or "raise doubts about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contact by phone

This alternative specifies the method of communication.

phone

This alternative is a more concise way to indicate making a phone call.

telephone

This alternative offers a more formal alternative to "phone".

raise doubts about

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating uncertainty or skepticism.

ring

This alternative refers to calling somebody.

drop by

This alternative suggests an informal, quick visit.

visit briefly

This alternative focuses on a short, in-person visit rather than a call.

look in on

This alternative suggests a brief visit to check on someone or something.

question

This is a more concise alternative to call into question.

challenge

This alternative conveys a sense of directly confronting or disputing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "call into" to describe making a phone call or visiting a place briefly. For example, "I need to call into the office later" or "Can you call into the bank to deposit this check?".

What does "call into question" mean?

"Call into question" means to challenge or raise doubts about something. For instance, "The new evidence "casts doubt on" the initial findings".

What can I say instead of "call into question"?

You can use alternatives like "challenge", "dispute", or "raise doubts about" depending on the context.

Is "call at" the same as "call into"?

While similar, "call at" typically refers to a brief visit to a place, whereas "call into" can refer to both a brief visit or making a phone call. Therefore, you might "call at" a store but "call into" a meeting or phone someone.