during the call

USAGE SUMMARY

"during the call" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time period while a particular activity, usually a telephone call, is taking place. For example, "I was telling him about my idea during the call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"My head is humming during the call.

The New Yorker

At several points during the call, Schettino seemed near tears.

The Washington Post

Could I see the notes that Alex Burgos took during the call?

The New Yorker

Despite the clarity, delay problems can come and go during the call.

The New York Times

"The shift toward mobile is incredibly important," Mr. Zuckerberg said during the call.

The New York Times

"The shift towards mobile is incredibly important," Mr. Zuckerberg said during the call.

The New York Times

What he intended to say during the call is a matter of dispute.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Enhanced coping was associated with making more positive appraisals during the call-out.

Emergency Medicine Journal

They were asked to indicate how objective they had felt during the call-out (0 100%).

Emergency Medicine Journal

Coping less well was associated with the use of more negative appraisals during the call-out.

Emergency Medicine Journal

During the call, he looks down and sees a white van pull up to the hotel.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions or events that occurred during a phone conversation, use "during the call" to clearly establish the timeframe. This helps avoid ambiguity and keeps the narrative focused.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "after the call" or "before the call" interchangeably with "during the call". They refer to different timeframes and can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the call" functions as a prepositional phrase, specifically acting as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates the timing of an action, specifying when it occurred in relation to a phone conversation. For instance, "I took notes during the call".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the call" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify when an action occurred within the timeframe of a phone conversation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives like "while on the phone" or "during the phone conversation" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the timing of events to avoid confusion. It's crucial to differentiate "during the call" from phrases like "on the call", which indicate participation rather than timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the phone conversation

More specific by using "phone conversation" instead of "call".

while on the phone

Emphasizes the simultaneous nature of being on the phone and performing another action.

throughout the duration of the call

A more formal and emphatic way to indicate the entire period of the call.

on the telephone

A slightly more formal variation emphasizing the communication medium.

as the call progressed

Emphasizes the unfolding of events as the conversation developed.

as we spoke

Focuses on the act of speaking, suitable for recounting a conversation.

during our chat

Replaces "call" with the more informal term "chat".

while talking

A broader term that encompasses any form of talking, not exclusively by phone.

while the line was open

Focuses on the technical aspect of the phone line being active.

as the connection was established

Highlights the moment of establishing a phone connection and concurrent actions.

FAQs

How do I use "during the call" in a sentence?

Use "during the call" to specify when an action or event occurred while a phone conversation was taking place. For example, "I took notes "during the call"".

What can I say instead of "during the call"?

You can use alternatives like "while on the phone", "during the phone conversation", or "as we spoke" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "during the call" or "in the call"?

"During the call" is the correct phrase to use when referring to something that happened while a phone conversation was in progress. "In the call" is not a standard or grammatically correct alternative.

What's the difference between "during the call" and "on the call"?

"During the call" refers to the time period when the call is happening, while "on the call" indicates participation in the phone call itself. For example, "Several people were "on the call", and I took notes "during the call"".