call me back

USAGE SUMMARY

"call me back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone to contact you after they finish certain task or when they have more time. For example: "I'm running out of time, can I call you later to finish the conversation? Please call me back when you have more time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Call me back".

The New York Times

Please call me back".

The New Yorker

"Call me back," she says.

The New Yorker

"Then call me back".

The New York Times

I said, "Don't call me back.

The New York Times

Think it over and call me back".

The New York Times - Magazine

"People didn't call me back," he said.

The New York Times

She said somebody would call me back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Call me back when they decide".

The New Yorker

Call me back in an hour".

The New Yorker

Call me back when you get a chance".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify a convenient time frame when you're available to receive the call to improve the chances of connecting successfully.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "call me back ASAP" unless the matter is genuinely urgent. Respect the other person's time and commitments. A more polite approach is to ask, "Please call me back at your earliest convenience."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call me back" functions as an imperative request. It is a direct instruction asking someone to return a phone call. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call me back" is a common and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to politely request a return phone call. As Ludwig AI confirms, its directness makes it suitable for various informal and neutral settings. While predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its applicability extends to everyday communications. For more formal environments, consider alternatives like "return my call". Remember to provide necessary details like your name and number when leaving a message to ensure a successful callback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give me a call back

Adds the idiom "give me a call", emphasizing the action of calling.

phone me back

Uses "phone" instead of "call", implying the same action of returning a phone call.

call again later

Directly asks for another phone call at a later time.

ring me back

Employs "ring" which is a synonym for "call", mostly used in British English.

return my call

A more formal way of requesting a returned phone call.

get back to me

A more general way of asking someone to respond or contact you, not necessarily by phone.

reach out to me

Similar to "get back to me", but can also imply initiating contact for the first time.

contact me later

Specifies that the contact should happen at a later time, without specifying the medium.

answer my call

Implies to answer to an already done call.

drop me a line

An idiomatic expression to tell someone to contact you back via message or email.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "call me back"?

It's appropriate to use "call me back" when you need someone to return your call at their convenience, typically after leaving a message or during a brief initial contact. It implies that a more detailed conversation is needed.

What are some alternative ways to say "call me back"?

You can use alternatives like "phone me back", "get back to me", or "return my call" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "call me back" suitable for formal communication?

While "call me back" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "please return my call at your earliest convenience" or "I would appreciate a call back" may be more appropriate in professional settings.

How can I ensure someone actually "calls me back"?

Clearly state your name, phone number, and the reason for your call in your message. Also, mention a specific time frame when you are available, increasing the likelihood of a successful returned call.