make the call

USAGE SUMMARY

"make the call" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you would like someone to make contact with someone else, such as "Could you please make the call to John and ask him to stop by on Saturday?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You make the call.

The New York Times

"Make the call," she said.

The New Yorker

Just make the call.

The New York Times

Then make the call.

Harvard Business Review

"You make the call," said the announcer.

The New York Times - Magazine

He decided to make the call.

The New Yorker

Mattis forced Trump to make the call.

Yale University

I said I would make the call.

The New York Times - Style

Our goal is to make the call.

The New York Times

Parcells or Belichick, you make the call.

The New York Times - Sports

I wouldn't want to make the call".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make the call", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for making the decision or taking the action. For example, "The coach had to make the call about which players would start the game."

Common error

Avoid using "make the call" when referring to something that isn't truly a decision or action initiating a change. For instance, saying "He had to make the call to breathe" is incorrect, as breathing isn't usually a conscious decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make the call" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as the main verb and "the call" serves as its object. It is frequently used to denote the act of making a decision or initiating a communication, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make the call" is a common and versatile phrase primarily used to indicate making a significant decision or initiating contact, often via telephone. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate across various contexts, from professional business settings to news and general usage. While alternatives like "make a decision" or "take action" exist, the specific nuance of ""make the call"" often implies a decisive action or initiating communication. Whether it's a coach deciding on players or a CEO strategizing, the phrase conveys the act of taking responsibility and initiating a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a decision

Focuses on the decision-making aspect, omitting the communication or action implied by "call".

decide

A more concise and direct synonym, lacking the nuance of initiating something.

take action

Emphasizes the act of doing something, rather than the specific act of making a call or decision.

come to a conclusion

Implies a more deliberative process of reaching a decision.

reach a verdict

Suggests arriving at a judgment or conclusion, particularly after consideration.

determine the outcome

Highlights the act of influencing or deciding the final result.

render a judgment

Suggests a formal or official decision, often in a legal or professional setting.

settle the matter

Suggests resolving an issue or dispute.

take the plunge

Emphasizes the risk or boldness involved in making a decision.

execute the order

Emphasizes the execution of a command or directive.

FAQs

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

You can use "make the call" to indicate making a decision or contacting someone. For example, "The manager had to "make the call" to postpone the event due to weather" or "I need to "make the call" to customer service to resolve this issue".

What does "make the call" mean?

"Make the call" can refer to making a decision, especially a difficult or important one, or it can mean to telephone someone.

What are some alternatives to "make the call"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "make a decision", "take action", or "reach a verdict".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "make the call"?

It's appropriate when someone has the authority or responsibility to decide something significant, or when someone needs to contact another person. For instance, "The CEO had to "make the call" on the company's future strategy".