calling back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling back and forth" is correct and is used in written English.
It is usually used to describe loud, lively conversation between two or more people. For example, "The children were calling back and forth to each other as they ran around the playground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's Shakespeare and it's Kate Tempest, calling back and forth to each other across the centuries.

The Guardian

The remainder of the parable is an argument between Abraham and Dives, calling back and forth from heaven to hell.

The New York Times

Three choral sequences anchored their attention: a booming, flashing summer storm; an operatic hunting scene with horns and chorus sections calling back and forth; and a reverential finale.

The New York Times - Arts

Ringed by elegant 18th- and 19th-century mansions, the Monceau is a place of cool greenery, miniature waterfalls and the trilling sounds of birds calling back and forth.

The New York Times - Travel

The process may require as much coordination between users as does manually calling back and forth until a clear channel is found.

The New York Times - Tech

They have so much in common, these three long-dead holy women, their corpses dripping with jewels, that it's as though they've been calling back and forth to one another from across the centuries.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Others, sonatalike, involve contrasting themes that call back and forth to one another.

The New York Times - Arts

Bird and machine called back and forth to each other, a haunting sound of longing in the darkness.

The New York Times

On Angel From Montgomery, a song made ubiquitous by Bonnie Raitt ("If you go into an igloo and there's a girl singer on the stage, if you sit there long enough, she'll sing this song"), Kaplan's fiddle and Wilber's guitar called back and forth to one another as they swirled around the lyrics.

The Guardian - Music

According to the Cambodian soldiers camped here, the Oct. 15 battle began with taunts as Thai troops across a small stream shouted at them, "Come on, let's fight!" Touch Socheat, 39, a captain in the border police, said he had come to know some of the Thai soldiers by name over the weeks as they called back and forth, and he felt betrayed when they started shooting.

The New York Times

"It was taking forever," said Carson, who said he'd have to call back and forth between dozens of providers to find the right fit.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calling back and forth" to describe situations where there is a lively exchange or dialogue between two or more parties.

Common error

Avoid using "calling back and forth" to describe a one-sided conversation or a monologue. The phrase inherently implies a two-way exchange.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling back and forth" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing a reciprocal action. This implies an exchange between two or more entities, consistent with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

15%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Arts

7%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calling back and forth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a reciprocal exchange. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is primarily used in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the context involves a two-way interaction. Alternatives include "exchanging calls" or "communicating reciprocally" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exchanging calls

Focuses on the exchange aspect, implying a series of calls rather than the manner.

repeatedly calling

Highlights the repetitive nature of the calls, lacking the reciprocal nuance.

conversing interactively

Emphasizes the interactive nature of a conversation, which may not be limited to phone calls.

shouting to each other

Highlights the act of shouting instead of polite calling.

communicating reciprocally

A more formal way of expressing mutual communication.

corresponding regularly

Implies a formal or written exchange of information.

telephoning repeatedly

Focuses solely on telephone communication, omitting the two-way aspect.

exchanging messages

Refers to any form of message exchange, not exclusively calls.

interchanging calls

Highlights the changing from one person calling to the other. Very uncommon expression.

intercommunicating

A formal term for mutual communication, less specific than "calling".

FAQs

How can I use "calling back and forth" in a sentence?

You can use "calling back and forth" to describe a reciprocal exchange, like "The negotiators were "calling back and forth" to reach an agreement".

What's a simpler way to say "calling back and forth"?

Alternatives include "exchanging calls" or "communicating reciprocally" depending on the context.

Is "calling back and forth" formal or informal?

The phrase "calling back and forth" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "calling back and forth" imply?

It implies an active, ongoing exchange, suggesting a dynamic interaction rather than a single event.