call them up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call them up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of making a phone call to someone. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, don't hesitate to call them up for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'd call them up myself only my mobile's run out".

The New Yorker

I'll just call them up and have a chat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now, obviously, you just call them up on YouTube.

The Guardian - Opinion

Really, if you call them up, they would probably apologize to you, too.

The New York Times

I can call them up with a mental click, like YouTube clips.

The New York Times - Magazine

I just call them up and ask who's ready for the next one.

The New York Times - Travel

Now you can call them up and talk about their lives, phones and loans.

The New York Times

I can't call them up for a rabbit-skin glue recipe anymore".

The New York Times - Books

Then I read it again and decided to call them up".

The Guardian - Money

You call them up and say: 'These are not my debts.

The New York Times

Writers can simply call them up in lieu of a string of adjectives.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call them up", consider the audience and context. While commonly accepted, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "contact them" or "reach out to them".

Common error

Avoid using "call them up" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "contact" or "communicate with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "call them up" is that of a phrasal verb. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It acts as a verb phrase, indicating the action of contacting someone via telephone. It is used actively to suggest initiating a phone conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call them up" is a grammatically sound and very common phrasal verb that means to contact someone by telephone. Ludwig confirms this. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it suitable for everyday communication. For formal or professional contexts, alternatives such as "contact them" or "reach out to them" might be more appropriate. As demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase is frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required when choosing to use the phrase "call them up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phone them

A more concise alternative, omitting "up", keeping the focus on making a phone call.

give them a call

Uses "give" to express the action of calling, adding a slightly more informal tone.

ring them up

A British English alternative, using "ring" instead of "call", implying a phone call.

contact them

A broader term that includes various methods of communication, not just phone calls.

reach out to them

Similar to "contact them" but suggests making an effort to connect.

get in touch with them

A more formal alternative to "contact them", indicating establishing communication.

summon them

A more formal alternative, often used metaphorically to call someone to one's presence.

get ahold of them

An informal way to say contact them but could imply difficulty contacting someone.

buzz them

Very informal and could refer to calling on an intercom or messaging them.

page them

An older alternative that refers to using a pager to contact someone. It is less common today.

FAQs

What does "call them up" mean?

The phrase "call them up" means to telephone someone. It's a common way to say to contact someone by phone.

What are some alternatives to "call them up"?

Some alternatives include "give them a call", "phone them", "contact them", or "reach out to them". The best choice depends on the context and formality of the situation.

Is "call them up" formal or informal?

"Call them up" is generally considered informal. In professional or academic settings, more formal phrases like "contact them" or "communicate with them" are preferred.

How can I use "call them up" in a sentence?

You can use "call them up" in a sentence like this: "If you have any questions, feel free to call them up and ask."