calling your child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling your child" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of contacting or summoning your child, typically in a context where you want to get their attention or communicate with them. Example: "After dinner, I will be calling your child to discuss their progress in school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

3. Avoid calling your child a genius.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not calling your child an 'it.' " "Promise I'll love it?" "I do, in fact.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though bragging about calling your child garbage is probably not a great social lubricant at a cocktail party, I respect that she isn't swayed by what others think, say or write.

Huffington Post

It will hurt -- for us parents, that is -- and go against our deepest instincts, but do you really think you should be calling your child's professor, like you did when she was 10? Stay-at-Home Academic.

Huffington Post

Never respond by calling your child's fear "ridiculous" or "stupid".

WikiHow

Calling your child names and telling your child what they're acting like are two different things.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You may call your child whatever you'd like.

The New York Times

Call your child Willow and then see how much more of a cruel joke their obesity problem seems.

The Guardian - Opinion

(I think I reached my acme with "brattle," which boasts five or six, depending on whether you ever call your child a rat).

The New York Times

But, despite these words of wisdom, for many people names really do matter – especially when deciding what to call your child.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You wouldn't call your child a thug if they should do something that would not be what you expect them to do".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing examples, consider the audience. For instance, "calling your child's professor" is appropriate in academic discussions, while "calling your child garbage" is used to illustrate negative parenting, it can be inappropriate, so use it with care.

Common error

Avoid using "calling your child" when you actually mean "naming your child". The former refers to contacting them, while the latter is about giving them a name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling your child" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. It denotes the action of contacting or naming one's child, serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "calling your child" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, denoting the action of contacting or referring to one's child. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While its register is generally neutral, it finds common usage across News & Media and Wiki sources. To avoid ambiguity, consider context-specific alternatives such as "contacting your child" or "naming your child". It's important to ensure the intended meaning is clear, especially when discussing sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving your child a call

More colloquial way of saying calling.

contacting your child

Replaces "calling" with a more formal term, focusing on the act of making contact.

getting in touch with your child

Emphasizes the establishment or maintenance of a connection.

be in touch with your child

Implies the importance of connection with your child.

reaching out to your child

Suggests a more proactive and possibly supportive approach to communication.

getting ahold of your child

Suggests a possible difficulty in making contact.

phoning your child

Specifies the method of communication as a phone call.

naming your child

Shifts the meaning to the act of giving a name to your child, rather than contacting them.

referring to your child

Focuses on how you speak about your child, rather than directly contacting them.

addressing your child

Highlights the manner in which you speak to your child.

FAQs

How can I use "calling your child" in a sentence?

You can use "calling your child" to describe the act of contacting or summoning your child. For example, "I'm considering "calling your child"'s teacher to discuss their progress".

What's the difference between "calling your child" and "contacting your child"?

"Calling your child" typically implies a phone call, while "contacting your child" is a broader term that encompasses various means of communication, such as emailing, texting, or visiting.

Is it acceptable to use "calling your child" in formal writing?

Yes, "calling your child" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using a more formal alternative like "contacting your child" or "reaching out to your child" for added professionalism.

What can I say instead of "calling your child" when referring to naming?

If you mean naming, use alternatives like "naming your child" or "choosing a name for your child" to avoid confusion.