calls them for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calls them for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone making a phone call or contacting others for a specific purpose or reason. Example: "She often calls them for advice on important decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The couple shopped at Ikea for the "carcasses," as he calls them, for the bookshelves and cabinets that run the length of the living room.

The New York Times

"The one percent", as he calls them, for whom college lacks the intensity and calendar to allow their talent to fully flourish.

The Guardian - Sport

He will be hoping that he doesn't have to swap his "rags", as he calls them, for the type of prison clothing worn by those put behind bars by his unique brand of investigative journalism.

Independent

Accepting two awards for Furious 7, Vin Diesel gave a lovely speech thanking everyone ("real people", as he calls them) for making the film so successful and for voting it Favorite Movie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I said it's great, but you're making me into a New York Beat poet," said Sir Paul, who kept a copy of the scribbled-over "Ginsberg Variations," as he calls them, for posterity, though he took none of Ginsberg's suggestions.

The New York Times - Books

In this sequel to The Selby's last film, which follows the mushroom huntress Connie Green and the chef Sean O'Toole on a search for edible fungus in California's high Sierras, Green gathers her friends — "the tribal members of this mushroom hunting cult," she calls them — for a four-course morel-focused meal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I pleaded with my mother to call them for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Old pears," she called them — for some reason — in her childish French.

The New Yorker

Many victims first learned of the ruling from reporters, who called them for comment.

The New York Times

"I was calling them for help on the radio," he said.

The New Yorker

They are looking "to the Web guys" – as they call them – for some answers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "calls them for", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the call. Clarity helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is making the call. Instead of saying "They were called for assistance", specify who made the call: "The manager calls them for assistance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calls them for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of contacting someone via telephone for a specific purpose. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where communication is initiated to request assistance, information, or verification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "calls them for" is a grammatically correct verb phrase indicating the act of contacting someone by phone for a specific reason. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly used in news media and wiki contexts and serves the purpose of requesting something, seeking assistance, or obtaining information. While the phrase is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "contacts them" in professional settings. It is important to ensure that the context makes the reason for the call clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gives them a call for

Rephrases "calls" as "gives them a call", retaining the original meaning and purpose.

phones them to request

Substitutes "calls" with "phones" and specifies the intent using "to request".

makes a call to them for

Rephrases "calls" as "makes a call to", slightly increasing the formality.

contacts them to get

Replaces "calls" with "contacts" and specifies the purpose more directly with "to get".

telephones them for

Utilizes the formal verb "telephones" instead of "calls", keeping the reason for contact.

reaches out to them for

Uses a more formal term, "reaches out", instead of "calls", maintaining the purpose.

dials them for

Replaces "calls" with the more technical term "dials", keeping the purpose intact.

contacts them seeking

Replaces "calls" with "contacts" and clarifies the intent using "seeking".

gets in touch with them for

Employs "gets in touch with" as a substitute for "calls", emphasizing the act of establishing communication.

rings them up for

Uses the informal "rings them up" in place of "calls", maintaining the original purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "calls them for" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "contacts them regarding", "reaches out to them for", or "telephones them to inquire".

Is "calls them for" appropriate for professional communication?

While generally acceptable, "calls them for" can sometimes sound informal in professional settings. Alternatives like "contacts them for" or "reaches out to them regarding" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "calls them for" and "calls them about"?

"Calls them for" usually implies the call is made to request something or for a specific purpose, whereas "calls them about" indicates the call is concerning a particular subject or topic. Example: "He calls them for help" vs. "He calls them about the project".

Can I use "calls them for" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "calls them for" may lack the precision required in academic writing. Instead, use more descriptive phrases like "contacts them to request" or "reaches out to them in order to" for clarity.