receive the call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "receive the call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to answering or being contacted by someone via phone or other communication methods. Example: "I was busy when the phone rang, but I managed to receive the call after a few rings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

I was extremely happy to receive the call".

The Guardian

(You are charged 20 cents a minute to receive the call, though).

The New York Times

My partner, the car, and then I receive the call that Antonio had been shot," she said.

The Guardian

You have just made the first cut; only a modest percentage of the thousands applying to a top MBA programme receive the call.

The Economist

There may be several players who receive the call of a lifetime Wednesday from Jack O'Connell, the secretary/treasurer of the writers association.

The New York Times

Moore said he was surprised to receive the call from attaché Chunmei Chen, apparently a new arrival in Melbourne, reeling off a list of Kadeer's alleged crimes.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Unfortunately, my mother has yet to receive the call-up to this kind of floating international role, and the episode offers a glimpse of a world where childish cheap tricks have to provide the illusion of a foreign policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

El-Abd, who has spent his entire career with the Championship side, posted on Twitter that he was "extremely honoured" to receive the call-up.  .

BBC

All the nurses of the department receive the calls on their beepers or portable phones.

BMC Health Services Research

(Nelson's office denies receiving the call).

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Robinson said he received the call about a month ago.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, favor “receive the call” over “get the call” for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "receive the call" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. Instead of "The decision was received via a call", try "They delivered the decision in a call."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive the call" functions as a verbal phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of being contacted, particularly by telephone. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "receive the call" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as supported by Ludwig AI, that typically describes the act of being contacted by phone, often implying a significant communication. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general communications. When choosing alternatives, consider the level of formality required, with options like "get a call" for casual scenarios and more formal phrasings for professional settings. The phrase's versatility and widespread usage make it a valuable component of English vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a call

A more casual and common way to express receiving a phone call.

answer the call

Focuses on the action of picking up and responding to the call.

take a call

Emphasizes the action of accepting and engaging in a phone conversation.

be contacted

A more general term that includes various forms of communication, not just phone calls.

hear from someone

Indicates receiving communication from a person, without specifying the medium.

be notified

Focuses on the act of being informed, which could be through a call or other means.

get word

Suggests receiving news or information, possibly through a phone call.

be reached

Implies being successfully contacted, regardless of the specific communication method.

pick up the phone

Highlights the physical action of answering a call.

respond to a call

Focuses on the act of replying after being contacted.

FAQs

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

You can use "receive the call" when you are talking about getting a phone call, usually one that's important. For example: "I was happy to "get the call" offering me the job."

What's a more formal alternative to "receive the call"?

While "receive the call" is already fairly formal, you could use "be contacted by telephone" or "get in touch" for even greater formality depending on the context.

Is it better to say "receive the call" or "got the call"?

"Receive the call" is generally considered more formal, whereas "got the call" is more casual. The best choice depends on the context and your intended audience.

Can "receive the call" refer to something other than a phone call?

While primarily associated with phone calls, "receive the call" can metaphorically refer to accepting a calling or invitation, for example, "accept the invitation" or "He felt he had "responded to the calling"".