called me first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "called me first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who made the initial phone call or contact before others did. Example: "She called me first to discuss the project before reaching out to the rest of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

If only they had called me first".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Some Greek-American newspaper reporters called me first," Bishop Andonios said.

The New York Times

"It was my way of making sure that he called me first," she said.

The New York Times - Style

It was Peter who called me first, and asked if I would be interested in organizing a jeu de cuisine, a cooking game.

The New Yorker

I was happy that they called me first instead of the authorities, and we had a calm and intelligent conversation about animal welfare and the realities of animal husbandry on farms.

Cornell University

You won it all". My brother, Don, called me first thing Saturday morning, having watched Jordan's induction, and said, "Why did Michael, who's the most beloved, the most revered athlete in history need to have a chip on his shoulder on the night he's inducted into the Hall of Fame?" Something you should know about my brother: He named his only son Jordan.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"He'll probably call me first," Jeter said.

The New York Times - Sports

The truth is, I want the school to call me first.

The Washington Post

"I told him, 'Your candidate will have to call me first before I make any kind of commitment to support her,'" Mr. Smith recalled.

The New York Times

She had once talked with Yahoos Jerry Yang, who told her that if she was ever close to selling, call me first.

Forbes

I'm glad she called, but chided her for not calling me first.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "called me first", ensure the context clearly indicates why the order of contact is significant. For instance, it might be relevant in scenarios involving priority, exclusive information, or a sense of obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "called me first" when the order of contact is irrelevant or could be misinterpreted as boastful. Instead, focus on the content of the communication if the timing is unimportant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called me first" primarily functions as a statement indicating the order in which someone received a phone call or communication. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to emphasize priority or the timing of information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "called me first" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to indicate that someone was the first to receive a call or communication. Ludwig identifies that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with neutral register. It's often used to emphasize priority, early access to information, or a pre-existing relationship. When using this phrase, make sure the context clarifies why the order of contact is relevant. While straightforward, avoiding overuse and ensuring relevance will maintain clear communication. Alternatives like "contacted me initially" can offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was the first to call me

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the person's action.

first one to phone me

Emphasizes that they were the first one who called.

contacted me initially

Focuses on the initial contact, using a more formal verb.

reached out to me first

Emphasizes the act of making an effort to communicate.

got in touch with me first

Highlights the establishment of communication.

phoned me ahead of others

Indicates that the call happened before other calls.

initiated contact with me

Highlights the beginning of the interaction using a formal expression.

gave me the first call

Emphasizes the act of giving the first call

rang me up before anyone else

Emphasizes the time aspect.

was my first caller

Highlights the person as the first caller.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "called me first" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "contacted me initially" or "initiated contact with me".

What does it imply when someone says, "They called me first"?

It usually suggests that the speaker was given priority, exclusive information, or had a prior relationship with the caller. The implication depends heavily on the context of the conversation.

Is there a difference between "called me first" and "was the first to call me"?

While similar, "called me first" emphasizes the action and its timing, whereas "was the first to call me" highlights the person who initiated the contact.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "called me first"?

It is inappropriate when the order of contact is irrelevant or could be seen as boastful. In such cases, focus on the information exchanged rather than the timing of the communication.