calling in sick

USAGE SUMMARY

'calling in sick' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to inform someone (such as an employer) that you are taking a sick day. For example: "I'm afraid I won't be able to make it into work today - I'm calling in sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

For calling in sick often has very little to do with being ill.

The Guardian - Money

"We had nothing to do with police officers calling in sick". City Atty.

Los Angeles Times

I don't like calling in sick.

The Guardian - Money

One after another they are calling in sick.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Since March, pilots have been calling in sick in greater numbers.

The New York Times

He was calling in sick every few days and keeping his office door closed.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I almost called in sick".

The New York Times - Sports

Hundreds of thousands of employees are expected to call in sick as the weather gets colder.

Independent

They even call in sick less often.

Forbes

To quit work or call in sick, call work, than "quit job", or "call in sick".

WikiHow

"I can call in sick".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In modern remote environments, ensure you update your status on communication platforms immediately after "calling in sick" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Do not use "calling in sick" for scheduled medical appointments or planned procedures; in those instances, use "taking medical leave" or "requesting time off" to ensure proper administrative tracking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling in sick" functions as a gerund-participle phrasal verb phrase. It serves as a single lexical unit where 'calling in' acts as the transitive action and 'sick' describes the state or reason for the call. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is highly stable in English and rarely varies in structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "calling in sick" is a robust and universally understood idiom in the English-speaking world. Whether used in a major news outlet like The New York Times or a practical guide on WikiHow, it remains the standard way to describe notifying an employer of an illness-related absence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, particularly in professional and journalistic settings. Writers should feel confident using it in almost any context, though they may opt for more clinical terms in scientific research. Remember that while "in" and "out" are both used, "calling in sick" is the more globally recognized variant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a sick day

Refers more to the act of absence itself rather than the communication of it

calling out sick

A common regional variation, primarily used in American English

phoning in sick

Specifies the medium of communication (telephone) although often used figuratively now

calling in ill

A slightly more formal synonym using 'ill' instead of 'sick'

reporting sick

Carries a more formal or military tone compared to the standard phrase

notifying an absence

A highly formal business alternative that removes the specific reason

taking medical leave

Suggests a more formal or potentially longer-term period of absence

sending a sick note

Focuses on the written documentation rather than the verbal notification

taking a mental health day

Specifies a particular type of well-being absence rather than physical illness

being out of commission

An informal idiom meaning one is unable to function or work

FAQs

Is it correct to say "calling in sick" or "calling out sick"?

Both are correct. "calling in sick" is more common in British English and parts of the US, while "calling out sick" is widely used in other American regions.

How do I use "calling in sick" in a professional email?

You can write: "I am "calling in sick" today due to a sudden illness and will be unable to attend the meeting."

What is a more formal alternative to "calling in sick"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "reporting absence" or "notifying of illness".

What is the difference between "calling in sick" and "taking a sick day"?

The phrase "calling in sick" emphasizes the act of notifying the employer, whereas "taking a sick day" refers to the status of being away from work.