calling him directly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling him directly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of making a phone call to someone without intermediaries. Example: "If you have any questions, I suggest calling him directly for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By that evening, Moalin had found Khadar's phone number and was calling him directly.

The New Yorker

But she consults the doctor on each case, calling him directly after seeing a patient and sometimes also before.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Workers can also call him directly, he said.

The New York Times

"The janjaweed militia called him directly for instructions," the prosecutor said.

The New York Times

"The lawyer told me that Roland had asked that I call him directly and make the offer," Blagojevich told me.

The New Yorker

WE ARE WATCHING!!! Expect Us!" Since the post, other activists have followed suit, urging people to call his precinct to complain or to call him directly.

The Guardian

Williams then called him directly offering a job suiting his "particular key skill", but said that she preferred to discuss it in person.

The Guardian

Court documents say Kapheim approached a secret service post and said he had an appointment with the president, who Kapheim said called him directly.

The Guardian

Mr. Letterman told his audience that Mr. McCain had called him directly to cancel for the early evening taping of the show in Manhattan.

The New York Times

You call him directly, and he meets you at the Pentagon metal detectors, wearing tan corduroys, a plaid shirt and scuffed, comfortable shoes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Christie said Mr. Obama had called to make sure he had everything needed from the federal government and left a number to call him directly at the White House should any unmet needs arise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calling him directly" when you want to emphasize the absence of intermediaries in a phone conversation. This highlights the immediate and personal nature of the contact.

Common error

While "calling him directly" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or business writing. More professional alternatives such as "contacting him personally" or "communicating with him directly" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling him directly" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of making a direct phone call to someone. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "calling him directly" is a grammatically sound way to describe making a phone call without intermediaries. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it serves to emphasize directness and immediacy in communication. It's appropriate for general use, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in specific professional contexts. Primarily found in news and media, this phrase effectively communicates a personal and immediate connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoning him directly

Replaces "calling" with a synonym, maintaining the directness.

contacting him personally

Emphasizes the personal nature of the communication.

reaching out to him directly

Suggests an attempt to establish communication.

making a direct call to him

Rephrases "calling" as "making a call", adding emphasis.

speaking with him one-on-one

Highlights the private and direct nature of the conversation.

getting in touch with him personally

Similar to "contacting him personally", but slightly more informal.

personally telephoning him

Combines personal contact with telephone communication for emphasis.

communicating with him directly

More formal alternative to "calling".

having a direct conversation with him

Emphasizes the conversational aspect.

liaising with him directly

Implies a formal or professional interaction.

FAQs

What does "calling him directly" mean?

It means contacting someone by phone without involving any intermediaries or going through another person.

What can I say instead of "calling him directly"?

You can use alternatives like "contacting him personally", "reaching out to him directly", or "speaking with him one-on-one" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "calling him directly" in professional communication?

It can be acceptable, but in very formal situations, consider using a more professional alternative such as "contacting him personally" or "communicating with him directly".

When should I use "calling him directly" instead of just "calling him"?

Use "calling him directly" when you want to emphasize that the call was made without any intermediaries or involvement of other parties.