made the call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'made the call' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone initiated a telephone call. For example: "I made the call to my friend to tell him about the great news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I made the call.

The New Yorker

Mr. Koch made the call.

The New York Times

So I made the call.

The New York Times

Nelson made the call.

The Washington Post

Perez made the call.

The New York Times

Chief Justice Roberts made the call.

The New York Times

Antoinette Tuff, a clerk, made the call.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He made the call he was trained to make.

The New York Times - Sports

We made the call to go in.

The New York Times

"They did it [made the call].

The Guardian

He put her on hold while he made the call.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made the call" when you want to emphasize that someone took the initiative to communicate or make a key decision, often under pressure or with significant consequences.

Common error

Don't use "made the call" when a simple phone call is intended. This phrase often implies a significant decision or action preceded the call, not just routine communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made the call" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the action of initiating a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It often implies a deliberate decision leading to the call.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made the call" is a commonly used verbal phrase indicating the action of initiating a phone call, frequently implying a preceding decision or action. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While "made the call" is suitable for general communication, it's important to reserve it for instances where the phone call carries significance beyond routine communication. Consider alternatives like "initiated the contact" or "made the decision" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoned

Simple, direct synonym for making a phone call.

initiated the contact

Focuses on the act of starting communication, similar to "made the call".

rang

British English equivalent of "phoned", indicating a call was made.

gave a ring

Informal way to say someone made a phone call.

made the decision

Highlights the aspect of making a choice or judgment, a component of "made the call" in some contexts.

placed the telephone call

More formal and specific, emphasizing the action of placing a call.

reached out

A broader term for initiating communication, which can include calling.

contacted

A general term for making contact, less specific than "made the call".

settled on the course of action

Emphasizes the decision-making aspect that might lead to making a call.

determined the outcome

Highlights the influence on results, different from simply making a phone call.

FAQs

How can I use "made the call" in a sentence?

You can use "made the call" to indicate that someone initiated a telephone call. For example: "After considering all the options, the CEO "made the call" to proceed with the merger."

What does it mean to say someone "made the call"?

Saying someone ""made the call"" often implies that they made a significant decision or initiated a course of action, often involving a phone call, with potential consequences.

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

You can use alternatives like "initiated the contact", "made the decision", or "phoned" depending on the context.

Is "made the call" formal or informal?

"Made the call" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for news reports and professional communications, though also usable in casual settings.