calling around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the act of making phone calls to various people or places, often to gather information or check availability. Example: "I spent the afternoon calling around to find a good mechanic for my car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were calling around".

The New York Times

Headhunters are once again calling around about new jobs.

The Economist

He started calling around, only to hear more bad news.

The New York Times - Sports

After Lehman went under, I began calling around, looking for rabbis.

The New Yorker

After calling around, though, they discovered that nobody knew where to make malt in Massachusetts.

The New York Times - Food

After a lot of calling around, we've booked into the Kendall Hotel in Cambridge.

The Guardian - Travel

The actress playing Valerie was calling around, trying to find friends to go bar-hopping.

The New York Times

So getting a price often can mean calling around to several sellers.

The New York Times

In the course of calling around, I learned that Time Warner was headed up the mountain.

The New York Times

He had recently sold out of sukkot and was calling around to get more.

The New York Times

Then he starts "calling around to find out who has the contract to do the demolitions," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calling around", be specific about the purpose of the calls to provide context. For example, "I was calling around to compare prices for car insurance."

Common error

Avoid using "calling around" without clarifying the reason for making multiple calls. This can leave the listener or reader wondering about the intent and outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling around" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of making multiple phone calls, often for information gathering or checking availability. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe a widespread search via telephone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "calling around" is a common and acceptable way to describe the act of making multiple phone calls to gather information or check availability, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it's generally considered neutral in tone, it's important to provide context about the purpose of the calls. Alternatives like "phoning around" or "making inquiries" can be used in more formal settings. This expression appears most frequently in news and media sources. Be specific and avoid vagueness when using the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoning around

Focuses specifically on using the telephone for communication, which is the most common method implied by "calling around".

making inquiries

Emphasizes the act of asking questions to gather information, which is often the purpose of "calling around".

contacting various places

Highlights the act of reaching out to different locations or organizations.

checking availability

Specifically refers to verifying if something is available, a common reason for "calling around".

getting in touch with

Suggests establishing communication with multiple parties.

reaching out to

Similar to 'getting in touch with', but can encompass a broader range of communication methods beyond phone calls.

canvassing opinions

Implies actively seeking and gathering different viewpoints or preferences.

consulting multiple sources

Focuses on seeking information from various resources, which could involve phone calls or other methods.

polling different entities

Suggests a more formal or systematic approach to gathering information from various organizations.

making the rounds

Implies a sequential process of visiting or contacting multiple places or people.

FAQs

What does "calling around" mean?

The phrase "calling around" refers to the act of making phone calls to multiple places or people, typically to gather information, compare prices, or check availability.

What can I say instead of "calling around"?

You can use alternatives like "phoning around", "making inquiries", or "contacting various places" depending on the context.

How to use "calling around" in a sentence?

Example: "I spent the afternoon "calling around" trying to find a plumber who was available on short notice."

Is "calling around" formal or informal?

"Calling around" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "contacting various sources" or "making inquiries".