kept on call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept on call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is available to be contacted or summoned when needed, often in a professional context. Example: "The doctor was kept on call throughout the night in case any emergencies arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Three alternate musicians will be kept on call.

The New Yorker

However, medical officials called exaggerated some reports that extra doctors are being kept on call at hospitals for fear of a rash of heart attacks during South Korea's matches.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I kept on calling though, several times a day, until they put me through to my main surgeon.

Vice

"But I kept on calling.

The New York Times

I thought she was looking for the ball, so I kept on calling and she kept treading water.

The Guardian

Donny wasn't a Catholic but I let him wear my scapular, which he kept on calling a spatula.

The New Yorker

On Saturday, Manuel Neuer ("he wanted to go in goal"), Philipp Lahm ("he wanted to take my armband off me") and Thomas Müller ("he kept on calling me Gerd") gently made fun of the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder's Maracanã blackout in interviews with ZDF Sportstudio.

The Guardian - Sport

Evanson kept on calling our house and he would say whatever he wanted to say to my parents.

Vice

I kept on calling them and asking them to come and help me, but you have to just be so determined to do it.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Stuart Pilichowski Mevaseret Zion, Israel, June 4, 2008 • To the Editor: Thomas L. Friedman says, "Israelis kept on building settlements and the Palestinians kept on building hate," and calls this a "trust deficit".

The New York Times

The programme relaunched in April 2009 with Julia Bradbury, then 38, and former Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker, then 30, along with veteran broadcaster John Craven, 68, who was kept on for a slot called John Craven Investigates.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept on call" to specifically denote a state of readiness for immediate response, especially in professional or emergency contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "kept on call" when simply referring to someone who is generally accessible. Reserve it for situations where immediate action or response is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept on call" functions primarily as a compound verb phrase, indicating a state of readiness or availability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to describe someone available to be contacted or summoned when needed, often in professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept on call" signifies a state of readiness and availability for immediate response, typically in professional or emergency situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not extremely common, it is readily understood across various contexts, with a prevalence in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with scenarios requiring immediate attention or action, rather than general accessibility. Consider alternatives like "remained available" or "were on standby" to fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were on-call

A hyphenated adjective phrase directly synonymous.

stayed on standby

Synonymous, using "stayed" as a replacement for "kept".

maintained on standby

Replaces "kept" with "maintained", emphasizing a state of readiness.

remained available

Focuses on the availability aspect rather than the specific term "on call".

remained reachable

Focuses on the ability to reach someone when needed.

stood ready

Emphasizes readiness and willingness to respond.

were on duty

Implies active service within a specific time period or event.

were rostered on call

Refers to a scheduled availability.

were available for contact

More literal, highlighting the accessibility aspect.

were held in readiness

More formal and highlights the state of being prepared.

FAQs

How can I use "kept on call" in a sentence?

You can say "The doctor was "kept on call" throughout the night" or "The IT team was "kept on call" during the system upgrade".

What does "kept on call" mean?

"Kept on call" means someone is available to be contacted or summoned when needed, usually in a professional or emergency context. It implies a state of readiness for immediate response.

Is it correct to say "they were keep on call"?

No, it's not correct. The correct phrase is "they were "kept on call"". The past participle "kept" should be used instead of "keep".

Are there alternatives to "kept on call" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "remained available", "were on standby", or "were on-call" depending on the context.