make a call

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a call" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about making a phone call, for example: "I need to make a call to my parents".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But you make a call.

The New Yorker

"I gotta make a call".

The New Yorker

And finally – can you make a call?

The Guardian - Travel

"Then you just make a call.

The New York Times - Sports

You have to make a call.

The Guardian

I just had to make a call".

The New York Times

"I have to make a call".

The New Yorker

"The official's job is to make a call," Hill said.

The New York Times - Sports

"At some point you make a call," Cashman said.

The New York Times

Could he next make a call to Bartlett?

Independent

Anywhere you can make a call, you can get online.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating urgency, specify the timeframe for making the call. For example, "Make a call immediately" is more effective than just "Make a call."

Common error

While acceptable, excessive use of "make a call" can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "telephone", "contact", or "reach out by phone" /s/reach+out+by+phone to enhance clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a call" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of initiating a telephone conversation. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a call" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe initiating a phone call. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used extensively across various contexts, from casual conversations to news reports. While versatile, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "place a call" or "telephone someone" for more formal writing to avoid repetition. Remember, while "make a call" is widely accepted, clarity and context are key to effective communication. Using alternatives such as "reach out by phone" or "contact by phone" can improve the flow and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a call

Replaces "make" with "place", offering a slightly more formal tone.

telephone someone

Substitutes the entire phrase with a verb and object, focusing on the action of contacting someone by phone.

initiate a phone call

A more formal and technical way of saying "make a call".

reach out by phone

Emphasizes the act of contacting someone via telephone.

contact by telephone

Formal alternative emphasizing the method of communication.

get in touch by phone

Highlights establishing contact using a phone.

give someone a ring

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression for calling someone.

call someone up

Informal phrasing, implying a casual phone call.

dial a number

Focuses on the action of dialing the phone number.

get on the phone

Suggests preparing to start a phone conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a call" to describe the act of initiating a phone call. For example, "I need to make a call to schedule an appointment", or "She had to make a call to confirm the reservation".

What are some alternatives to "make a call"?

Alternatives to "make a call" include phrases such as "place a call", "telephone someone", or "contact by phone", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "make a phone call" or "make a call"?

Both "make a phone call" and "make a call" are grammatically correct and commonly used. However, "make a call" is often preferred for its brevity, as the context usually implies it is a phone call.

What is the difference between "make a call" and "give someone a ring"?

"Make a call" is a general term for initiating a phone call. "Give someone a ring" is a more informal, idiomatic expression with the same meaning, common in British English.