called me up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "called me up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of someone making a phone call to you. Example: "Yesterday, my friend called me up to discuss our plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Someone else called me up".

Independent

"His mother called me up," Wallman said.

The New York Times - Sports

He called me up and said, "Hi.

The Guardian - Music

They called me up to do the song.

The New York Times - Arts

He actually called me up, and we talked about it.

The New Yorker

But when she called me up she was in tears".

The New Yorker

"They could have called me up," Dr. Tyson suggested.

The New York Times

"Anish called me up that morning," Balmond recalls.

The Guardian - Arts

"He called me up and said: 'We have decided'.

The Guardian

"He called me up and said come get your boat.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Maurice Girodias called me up and asked me to write it," Ms. Gornick said on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the overall tone. In formal writing, alternatives like "contacted me by phone" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "called me up" in professional documents or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "called me up" functions as a communicative verb, denoting the act of initiating a telephone conversation. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English. It describes a direct action of contacting someone via telephone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "called me up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone initiating a phone conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. While predominantly found in News & Media, where it maintains a neutral tone, it tends toward informality and should be used cautiously in formal or scientific contexts. Alternatives like "phoned me" or "contacted me" offer more formal options. The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources indicates its acceptance and broad applicability in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoned me

More concise and slightly more formal.

gave me a call

More idiomatic and casual.

rang me

British English equivalent of "phoned me".

contacted me by phone

More formal and explicit.

reached out to me by telephone

Very formal, often used in professional settings.

got in touch with me by phone

Indicates establishing communication.

telephoned me

More formal and less common than "phoned me".

gave me a ring

Informal and British English.

made a phone call to me

Descriptive and less direct.

buzzed me

Informal and can imply a quick or brief call.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "called me up"?

You can use alternatives like "phoned me", "gave me a call", or "contacted me by phone" depending on the context.

Is "called me up" formal or informal?

"Called me up" is generally considered informal. For formal situations, consider using "contacted me" or "telephoned me".

How to use "called me up" in a sentence?

You can use "called me up" like this: "My boss called me up to discuss the project deadline." or "She called me up last night with some exciting news".

What's the difference between "called me up" and "called me"?

"Called me up" implies a phone call, while "called me" is more general and could refer to any form of communication, including a visit or a shout.