call it very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call it very" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a strong opinion or emphasis about something, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "If you want to call it very important, then I agree."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Hunterian experts call it "very unorthodox and impossible to label stylistically" in their tremendously detailed online catalogue.

The Guardian - Arts

One year, we got a very bizarre collection, world music, international music, whatever you call it, very unusual stuff.

The New York Times

So I now call it "very expensive film school".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Miller called it very drinkable, and Hesser liked its complexity.

The New York Times - Food

Later, he called it "very original," yet also something that required its wearer "to know who you are".

The New York Times - Style

Even Smit called it "very silly".

The New York Times - Sports

City Hall called it "very productive".

The New York Times

He called it "very strange".

The New York Times - Sports

(She calls it "very 50's Elvis").

The New York Times

Dr. Smolin called it, "very interesting and also very incomplete".

The New York Times - Science

Jones, also strongly in favour, called it "very, very powerful".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "call it very" in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "consider", "regard", or "deem" to create a more grammatically sound sentence. For example, instead of "call it very important", say "consider it quite important".

Common error

Be mindful of the level of formality required in your writing. Using "call it very" might be acceptable in casual conversation, but it is generally inappropriate for academic papers, business reports, or other professional documents. Choose more precise language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function is to express an opinion or description. However, the structure is unconventional and often considered incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, there are better alternatives to convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "call it very" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks the precision required for formal communication. As Ludwig AI explains, opting for alternatives like "consider it quite" or "regard it as very" will significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Although examples exist in News & Media, it's best to avoid this phrase in favour of more standard English expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider it quite

Replaces "call" with "consider" and uses "quite" for a more standard emphasis.

regard it as very

Substitutes "call" with "regard as", creating a more formal tone.

would describe it as very

Adds a conditional tone and clarifies the descriptive nature of the statement.

refer to it as very

Replaces "call" with "refer to", suggesting a more deliberate choice of words.

characterize it as very

Uses "characterize" for a more analytical or evaluative tone.

deem it very

Employs "deem" for a more formal and considered assessment.

view it as very

Shifts from calling to viewing, emphasizing a perspective or opinion.

label it as very

Uses "label" to highlight the act of categorization or classification.

think of it as very

Expresses a personal thought or opinion using "think of".

find it to be very

Uses "find it to be" for a more subjective and experiential evaluation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "call it very" to sound more formal?

To make your writing more formal, replace "call it very" with phrases such as "regard it as very", "consider it quite", or "deem it very". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated and grammatically correct tone.

Is "call it very" grammatically correct?

The phrase "call it very" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more established phrases like "consider it very" or "regard it as" followed by an adjective.

What's a more natural-sounding alternative to "call it very"?

Instead of "call it very", you might say "describe it as", or simply use a stronger adjective. For example, instead of "call it very good", say "describe it as excellent".

In what contexts might "call it very" be acceptable?

While not grammatically ideal, "call it very" might be acceptable in very informal speech or casual writing. However, it's generally best to avoid it in professional or academic settings, opting instead for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.