initial call

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial call" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English and is most often used to refer to the first contact with someone or something.
For example, "The initial call from the client indicated that the project would be difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Additional socio-demographic and psychosocial adjustment data were collected by telephone interview by research staff following the initial call.

BMC Cancer

# initial call to recursive search function.

University of California, Berkeley

What do you think was his initial call?

The New York Times

My initial call, there's one thing in the queue.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His initial call for a cease-fire and the steps that followed were promising.

The New York Times

Six months after the initial call, HJK said the surveillance continued with photographers stalking them.

The Guardian

"The initial call should have been treated more seriously, and a unit dispatched," he said.

The Guardian

The initial call for help came at 10.40pm on Saturday night.

The Guardian

In the end, the replay was too close to overturn the initial call.

The New York Times - Sports

An ambulance arrived at the home 40 minutes after the initial call.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

An initial call-out to friends has ballooned into a festival that has grown exponentially.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial call" in professional contexts, ensure that subsequent communications reference it clearly to provide context and maintain a coherent record. For example, "Following our initial call on March 15th..."

Common error

Avoid using "initial call" when referring to a call that is simply early in the day or a series of calls. "Initial call" implies it's the first point of contact within a specific interaction or project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial call" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples where it identifies the phrase describing the first act of communication. For example, "The initial call for help came at 10.40pm on Saturday night."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial call" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that refers to the first instance of communication, as validated by Ludwig AI and its numerous examples. Its neutral register allows it to be used across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While seemingly straightforward, it's important to consider the context of using it. To avoid redundancy, be mindful of phrases like "first initial call". Also be specific in subsequent communications referencing it, for coherence. Overall, understanding the subtleties of "initial call" ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first contact

Replaces "call" with a more general term for communication.

opening call

Substitutes "initial" with "opening", emphasizing the beginning of communication.

first phone call

Adds "phone" to specify the medium of communication.

introductory call

Uses "introductory" to describe the call's purpose.

original call

Replaces "initial" with "original", focusing on the origin of the call.

preliminary contact

Uses a more formal term, "preliminary", instead of "initial".

starting call

Substitutes "initial" with "starting", indicating the commencement of communication.

inaugural call

Uses a more formal term, "inaugural", which can add emphasis.

first attempt to call

Adds "attempt" to clarify the nature of the call, emphasizing the action of trying to connect.

primary call

Changes "initial" to "primary" indicating a main or important first call.

FAQs

How can I use "initial call" in a sentence?

The phrase "initial call" typically refers to the first contact made with someone or an organization. For example, "The customer's initial call was to report a problem with their order."

What's a good alternative to "initial call"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "first contact", "opening call", or "introductory call".

Is it redundant to say "first initial call"?

Yes, using "first initial call" is generally redundant. The word "initial" already implies that it is the first. Simply use "initial call" or "first call".

What information should I gather during the "initial call" with a new client?

During the "initial call", you should aim to gather essential information such as the client's needs, expectations, and contact details. Setting clear objectives during this "preliminary contact" can streamline the subsequent stages of your interaction.