preceding the call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preceding the call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that occurs or is mentioned before a specific call or communication takes place. Example: "The information provided in the email preceding the call was crucial for our discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Detectives said they believed the attack on the pensioner, who has not been named, took place at some point in the 20 hours preceding the call for assistance, which came from the London ambulance service at 10.06am.

The Guardian

At the beginning of the call, Musk said he was going to "try to answer as many questions as possible" and "we're going to go as long as there are good questions to answer". In a letter preceding the call, Tesla had said it expected to generate cash and profit in the third and fourth quarters if it executes its plans to increase output.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If she had not met her target, 10%, 15% or 20% was added to the average number of steps they achieved over the three day period preceding the telephone call.

BMC Health Services Research

The frequency and duration of mothers' engagement in literacy activities with their infant was assessed by measuring the amount of time spent participating in these activities in the week preceding the phone call.

BMC Pediatrics

However, the various reports of somatic sexual dimorphisms preceding the gonadal development call for a more considered definition of sex determination [ 4].

BioMed Research International

The primary outcome was symptomatic days, defined as maximum number of days when any asthma symptom (cough or wheeze) or asthma attacks occurred over the 4 weeks preceding the follow-up call or clinical visit.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A hidden camera on a special correspondent's bedside table promises to show us something more than the resulting banal chit-chat with a presumed escort preceding the threat of calling her some "help"—by which the correspondent means the actual police.

Vice

Preceding the clip below, Barbara called for a move away from gutter politics towards a discussion of what really matters.

Huffington Post

Simmons' main argument centers on the Patriots poor use of time outs and play calling preceding the 4th and 2 and less on the decision itself, but he remains adamant that it was the wrong decision.

HuffPost

Recently, we described that temporal sequences of firing that correlated with place cell sequences formed during the exploration of a novel linear track had been expressed during the resting/sleep period preceding the exploration, a phenomenon called preplay (Dragoi and Tonegawa, 2011, 2013).

eLife

Newt Gingrich, after reading a D'Souza article that preceded the book, called this argument the "most profound insight I have read in the last six years about Barack Obama".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a time frame, clearly define the period encompassed by "preceding the call" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "preceding the call" if the temporal relationship is unclear. Be explicit; specify if you mean "immediately before" or "any time before" the phone call.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preceding the call" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the timing of an event or action in relation to a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms this is used to establish a temporal sequence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preceding the call" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate events or actions that occur before a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and understandable. While relatively rare in usage, its primary function is to establish a temporal order, often found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify the time frame precisely, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""before the call"" or ""prior to the call"" may be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before the call

More concise and direct, specifying the time before a call.

prior to the call

A more formal alternative indicating something happened earlier.

immediately preceding the call

Highlights that the event happened at the closest temporal proximity.

in advance of the call

Emphasizes preparation or anticipation related to the call.

leading up to the call

Highlights the period of time immediately before the call.

just before the call

Indicates a very short time interval right before the communication.

in anticipation of the call

Focuses on expecting and preparing for the call.

on the run-up to the call

British English, emphasizing a period of preparation.

in the time before the call

Stresses a period of time prior to the call, possibly less precise.

at some point before the call

Indicates an action happened at an undetermined time earlier.

FAQs

What does "preceding the call" mean?

The phrase "preceding the call" refers to events or actions that occur before a phone call takes place. It establishes a temporal relationship where something happens in advance of the call.

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

You might say, "The email exchange "before the call" helped clarify the project scope" or "The information gathered "prior to the call" was essential for making an informed decision".

What's the difference between "preceding the call" and "following the call"?

"Preceding the call" refers to what happens before, while "following the call" refers to what happens after the call. They are opposites in terms of time sequence.

Are there any formal alternatives to "preceding the call"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "prior to the call" or "in advance of the call" as more formal alternatives.