making phone calls

USAGE SUMMARY

"making phone calls" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone is calling someone else on the telephone. For example, "John was busy making phone calls all morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The commission kept making phone calls.

The New York Times - Sports

She started making phone calls.

The New York Times

Concentrate on making phone calls.

The New York Times

"We're still making phone calls.

The New York Times

She went on making phone calls.

The New Yorker

"We have been making phone calls, too".

The New York Times - Sports

"Right now, I'm just making phone calls".

The New York Times

So the Raffs started making phone calls.

The New York Times - Magazine

They began making phone calls which led to us.

Cornell University

Eventually I left the room and began making phone calls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then a local archaeology professor began making phone calls.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of actions, ensure that "making phone calls" is parallel in structure to other verbs or gerunds. For example: "She spent the day writing emails, attending meetings, and making phone calls."

Common error

Be specific about the reason for "making phone calls". Instead of saying "He was making phone calls", specify "He was making phone calls to potential clients" to provide better context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making phone calls" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the activity of initiating telephone communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression. The examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making phone calls" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase that functions as a noun, signifying the act of contacting someone via telephone. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely accepted and utilized across various contexts, particularly in news, academic and scientific writing. While applicable in numerous settings, being specific about the purpose enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "contacting by phone" or "telephoning individuals" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placing phone calls

A slightly more formal way of saying "making phone calls".

contacting by phone

Emphasizes the medium of communication used.

calling people on the phone

More descriptive, specifying that people are being called.

telephoning individuals

Focuses on the action of calling individuals, emphasizing the personal connection.

getting in touch by phone

Focuses on establishing contact through a phone conversation.

dialing numbers

Highlights the technical aspect of initiating a phone call.

reaching out via telephone

Suggests an effort to connect, using a more formal tone.

giving someone a call

A more informal and casual way of saying "making phone calls".

phoning up contacts

A slightly old-fashioned phrase to describe "making phone calls".

initiating telephone conversations

Formal and emphasizes starting a dialogue.

FAQs

How can I use "making phone calls" in a sentence?

You can use "making phone calls" to describe the action of contacting someone via telephone. For example, "She spent the afternoon "making phone calls" to confirm appointments."

What are some alternatives to "making phone calls"?

Some alternatives include "contacting by phone", "telephoning individuals", or "placing phone calls", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "making phone calls" or "to make phone calls"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "making phone calls" (gerund) often functions as a noun, while "to make phone calls" (infinitive) functions as a verb. Use the form that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.

What's the difference between "making phone calls" and "placing phone calls"?

"Making phone calls" is a more general term for the act of calling someone. "Placing phone calls" is a slightly more formal way of saying it, often used in business or professional settings.