gave him a call

USAGE SUMMARY

"gave him a call" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about making a phone call or contacting someone. Example: "I gave him a call last night to discuss our plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

So I gave him a call.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Foer was intrigued and gave him a call.

The New York Times

Then he tells us: Dirk Dirksen, from the Mab, gave him a call.

The New Yorker

So I gave him a call, and asked for Ted Williams's room.

The New Yorker

In the run-up to what Dundee fans dubbed the "Get Doon" derby, I gave him a call.

The Guardian - Sport

Having accepted Mr. Owen's premise that New Yorkers would react to discomfort much the way Londoners do, we gave him a call.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Give him a call".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll give him a call," I say.

The New Yorker

"I'll give him a call this afternoon".

The New York Times

I can always give him a call".

The Guardian - Sport

We'll give him a call.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave him a call" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating a phone conversation, often to discuss something specific or to check in on someone. It implies a direct and personal form of communication.

Common error

Avoid using "gave him a call" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more professional alternatives like "contacted him by phone" or "spoke with him by telephone" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave him a call" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of initiating a phone conversation. As Ludwig AI suggests, this action is a direct means of communication. The examples in Ludwig show the phrase used in various contexts to describe making contact with someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gave him a call" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe initiating a phone conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in standard English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its versatility in everyday communication. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings, such as "contacted him by phone". This phrase is a straightforward way to convey a direct and personal form of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

called him

Shorter and more direct way of saying someone made a phone call.

phoned him

Replaces 'call' with the verb 'phoned', which means the same thing.

rang him

Uses the word 'rang' which is a more common British English synonym for 'called'.

gave him a ring

Uses the word 'ring' which is a more common British English synonym for 'call'.

contacted him via phone

A slightly more concise and direct alternative.

made a call to him

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the action of making a call.

got in touch with him by phone

More formal and explicit about the method of contact.

reached out to him by telephone

More formal and emphasizes the effort to connect.

touched base with him by phone

More informal business-related phrase.

had a phone conversation with him

Describes the action as a conversation and it's more specific.

FAQs

What does "gave him a call" mean?

The phrase "gave him a call" means that someone initiated a telephone conversation with another person, often to communicate or discuss something.

How can I use "gave him a call" in a sentence?

You can use "gave him a call" to indicate that you contacted someone by phone. For example, "I "gave him a call" to discuss the project deadline."

What can I say instead of "gave him a call"?

You can use alternatives like "called him", "phoned him", or "contacted him by phone" depending on the context.

Is "gave him a call" formal or informal?

"Gave him a call" is generally considered informal. In more formal situations, consider using phrases such as "contacted him by phone" or "spoke with him by telephone".