point of call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "point of call" is not correct in standard English; the correct phrase is "port of call." You can use "port of call" when referring to a stop or destination for a ship or a place where someone or something is expected to arrive.
Example: "The cruise ship's first port of call is the beautiful island of Cozumel."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My first point of call is, of course, the search engine itself.

Independent

Career services such as ours are a good point of call, as is www.efinancialcareers.co.uk.

The Guardian - Money

She is also the first point of call for anyone who contacts the company via telephone.

The Guardian

We're the first point of call, the messenger, we have to get the message across.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Forty points is the first point of call for anyone outside the bigger clubs," said their manager, Garry Monk.

The Guardian - Sport

Private sector providers (PSPs) are often the first point of call for patients in the global south.

The Guardian

In Nottingham, physiotherapists in 25 practices are the first point of call for patients who can make an appointment when they ring the surgery.

The Guardian

These days, my first point of call for local contact tends to be travel-networking sites, but I have also had successful experiences with greeters.

The Guardian - Travel

His last out effort at Hawthorne in the Bill Hartack proves that as at every point of call he was first.

The New York Times

Adrian Baker, head of health at IT-industry body techUK, says: "The key principle is to have a point of call at board level within every NHS organisation, someone with responsibility for data security".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Primary health facilities are referred to clinics and health centres that mainly render "first-point-of-call" outpatient services.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you mean to describe the first action or step in a process, consider using more precise alternatives like "initial step" or "first course of action".

Common error

Avoid using "point of call" when you actually mean "port of call", which is the correct term for a stop on a journey. Using "point of call" can confuse readers and make your writing seem less polished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of call" is typically used as a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It attempts to identify a primary destination or initial action, though is considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "point of call" is frequently encountered across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct phrase being "port of call". Ludwig AI highlights this discrepancy. When writing, it's best to use "port of call" when referring to a stop on a journey. If you intend to refer to an initial step or action, consider alternatives such as "initial step" or "primary resource". Although "point of call" is common, adhering to correct grammar enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Port of call

Uses the grammatically correct phrase which refers to a stop in a journey.

First destination

Focuses on the aspect of arriving at a location before others, removing the ambiguity.

Initial step

Highlights the concept of taking the first action in a process or procedure, abstracting from the spatial meaning.

Starting point

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or process rather than a specific location or action.

First course of action

Highlights a decision to perform a set of tasks.

Initial contact

Stresses the aspect of establishing communication or connection, not physical location.

First place to go

Focuses on recommending a place to visit at first, replacing vagueness with specificity.

Main contact person

Focuses on identifying the primary individual for communication or assistance.

Primary resource

Highlights the role of being the primary source of information, support, or assistance.

Go-to resource

Indicates a reliable and frequently used source for information, support, or assistance.

FAQs

What is the correct phrase, "point of call" or "port of call"?

The correct phrase is "port of call", which refers to a stop on a journey, especially by sea. "Point of call" is generally considered incorrect.

When can I use an alternative to "point of call"?

If you're referring to the first action in a process, you can use "initial step" or "first course of action". If you mean the first place someone goes for help, use "primary resource".

What does "port of call" mean?

Port of call refers to a destination where ships stop during a voyage. It can also figuratively mean a place someone visits during a journey or as part of a routine.

Is "point of contact" a good substitute for "point of call"?

While not a direct substitute, "point of contact" can be used if you are referring to a person or department that serves as the main contact for inquiries or assistance. However, this changes the meaning from a destination to a contact person.