on another call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on another call" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is currently engaged in a phone conversation with someone else and cannot take another call at that moment. Example: "I'm sorry, I can't talk right now; I'm on another call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I'm either on an appointment or on another call".

The New York Times

On another call, Nordine said, "Hi, Bonnie, just checking in — you guys still living there?

The New Yorker

Last week, I was on another call, with the office of Washington Gov.

The Washington Post

On another call, a teenage girl shouts to an emergency dispatcher that her two cousins had been shot.

The New York Times

On another call, Mr. Rajaratnam tells his trader that he's been told something good is going to happen at Goldman.

The New York Times

On another call, Jimmy spoke with a man whose original debt was two hundred and sixty-eight dollars.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Later on another call-in show, Mr. Schwarzenegger, who starred in a number of blood-drenched action films, said he supported a ban on assault weapons and endorsed the 1994 Brady bill, one of the toughest gun-control measures ever passed by Congress.

The New York Times

But Zoghbi's work on the condition, and on another called Rett syndrome, led her to study the most common neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

The Guardian

He's at work on another called "Juno," inspired by the mission to Jupiter.

Los Angeles Times

DNDi expects to spend $45 million to develop an oral pill called fexinidazole and $50 million on another called SCYX-7158.

HuffPost

On Friday, another call directed them to the exact address.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on another call", ensure it's clear whether you're referring to a temporary unavailability. If the unavailability is extended, consider providing an estimated time for when you'll be free.

Common error

Avoid using "on another call" if the person is expected to be available immediately afterward. Phrases like "will call back shortly" might be more appropriate to set realistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on another call" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates the state of being occupied with a phone conversation, explaining why someone is unavailable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on another call" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone is currently engaged in a phone conversation and is therefore unavailable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving the purpose of explaining a temporary unavailability or a delay. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to use it appropriately based on the context and to manage expectations regarding future availability. Alternatives like "already on the phone" and "currently speaking on the phone" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already on the phone

Simplifies the phrase to state the person is already engaged in a phone conversation.

taking another call

Simple expression to say someone is now on a call.

in the middle of a call

Focuses on the current status of being actively engaged in a call.

currently speaking on the phone

Replaces the preposition "on" with "currently speaking", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the call.

engaged in a different call

Substitutes "on another" with "engaged in a different", highlighting the activity.

attending to another call

Highlights the act of attending or managing another call.

busy with another conversation

Uses "busy with" to indicate unavailability due to another call, focusing on the conversation aspect.

handling a separate call

Indicates the person is managing or dealing with another call.

dealing with another call

Focuses on the act of managing a different call.

tied up on a call

Employs "tied up" to suggest being occupied and unavailable.

FAQs

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

You can use "on another call" to indicate that someone is currently engaged in a phone conversation and is therefore unavailable. For example, "I can't answer right now; I'm on another call."

What can I say instead of "on another call"?

You can use alternatives like "currently speaking on the phone", "already on the phone", or "busy with another conversation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "on another call" or "in another call"?

"On another call" is the correct and more idiomatic way to express that someone is currently engaged in a different phone conversation. "In another call" is less common and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "on another call" and "taking another call"?

"On another call" describes the state of being currently engaged in a call, while "taking another call" describes the action of answering or initiating a different call. The former emphasizes current engagement, while the latter emphasizes the act of starting a new call.