calls him for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calls him for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate phrase would be "calls him to" when indicating the purpose of the call. Example: "She calls him to discuss the project details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The chairman of the department calls him for an interview….

The New Yorker

The chairman of the department calls him for an interview & he flies down.

The New Yorker

Asaad sometimes calls him for advice on adapting to American life, Lobello told me.

The New Yorker

He's declared war on any ref who calls him for fouls.

The Washington Post

Petersen is bowling a leg stump line and umpire Richard Illingworth calls him for three successive wides for negative bowling.

The Guardian - Sport

While Mr. Cuomo has deep affection for Mr. Clinton and calls him for advice, his relationship with Mrs. Clinton is less personal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Treasury secretaries call him for advice.

The New York Times

He even called him for a "pleasant" phone conversation.

The Economist

"What will you call him for short?" people asked.

The New York Times

Barner's mother hardly called him for two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Neither team called him for a second tryout.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the purpose of a phone call, use "calls him to" instead of "calls him for". For example: "She calls him to discuss the project details."

Common error

Avoid using "calls him for" when you mean to express the reason for calling. The correct preposition to use in this context is 'to'. For example, say "calls him to clarify the details", not "calls him for clarify the details".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calls him for" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action, but its grammatical structure is often debated. While Ludwig AI acknowledges its presence in various texts, it is often flagged as grammatically incorrect in standard written English, especially when intending to express purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "calls him for" is relatively common, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. As Ludwig AI highlights, using "calls him to" is typically a more appropriate and precise way to indicate the purpose of the call. The phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but its grammatical ambiguity suggests it leans towards informal usage. When clarity and grammatical correctness are essential, opt for alternatives like "calls him to" or "contacts him for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calls him to

Indicates the purpose of calling, suggesting a specific action or reason.

contacts him for

Highlights the act of reaching out for a particular reason or purpose.

phones him to

A simpler synonym for 'calls', indicating the reason for the call.

telephones him for

Emphasizes the use of a telephone for a specific request or need.

calls him regarding

Uses 'regarding' to specify the subject or matter of the phone call.

rings him to

Uses a more informal term 'rings' to indicate calling for a purpose.

reaches out to him for

Indicates an attempt to make contact for assistance or information.

gets in touch with him for

Indicates making an effort to connect for a particular matter.

gives him a call to

A more conversational way of saying someone calls for a specific reason.

dials him to

Focuses on the action of dialing a phone number for a specific purpose.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "calls him for"?

A more grammatically sound alternative is to use "calls him to" which clearly indicates the purpose of the call.

When is it appropriate to use "calls him for"?

While commonly used in informal contexts, "calls him for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "calls him to" or "contacts him for" in formal writing.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "calls him for" to be more precise?

To be more precise, rephrase the sentence to include the purpose of the call using "to". For example, instead of "He calls him for advice", say "He calls him to ask for advice".

Is there a difference between "calls him for" and "contacts him for"?

While both phrases imply communication, "contacts him for" is generally broader and can include various methods of communication. "Calls him for" specifically refers to a phone call, but is often used incorrectly where "calls him to" would be grammatically better.