received a call

USAGE SUMMARY

"received a call" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person having received a phone call. For example, "I received a call from my brother this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He soon received a call from Gautier.

The New Yorker

Three days later, he received a call.

The Guardian

Coburn received a call from Polansky's mother.

The New York Times - Sports

Smart received a call from Rodriguez's father, Joe.

The New York Times - Sports

That day, Gaubert received a call from Hortefeux.

The New Yorker

Then the writer received a call from his mother.

The New Yorker

Then, on Monday, he received a call from Agassi.

The New York Times

Then Mr. Koss received a call from the appraiser.

The New York Times

Writer received a call from George Archibald, the crane man.

The New Yorker

He soon received a call back from William J.

The New York Times

Some customers said they never received a call.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "received a call" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone was contacted by phone. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "received a call" when referring to scheduled meetings or appointments. This phrase typically indicates an unexpected or initiated phone conversation. If you're referring to a pre-arranged conversation, use phrases like "had a meeting" or "attended a conference call" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a call" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of someone being contacted via telephone. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "received a call" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of being contacted by telephone. According to Ludwig, this expression is perfectly acceptable in written English. It's primarily found in news and media contexts but is versatile enough for various settings. Consider using synonyms like "got a phone call" or "was called" depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got a phone call

This alternative uses a more informal verb ("got") to convey the same meaning of receiving a phone call.

answered a phone call

This alternative emphasizes the act of answering the phone.

had a call

This alternative uses a different verb ("had") to express the experience of having a phone call.

was called

This alternative is a passive construction emphasizing the action of being called, rather than the act of receiving.

was contacted by phone

This alternative is more formal and explicitly states the means of contact.

picked up a phone call

This alternative suggests answering or engaging with the call, adding a nuance of action.

was on the receiving end of a call

This alternative is a more verbose and formal way of saying someone received a call.

a call came through

This alternative focuses on the call's arrival, rather than the recipient's action.

heard from someone by phone

This alternative broadens the meaning to simply hearing from someone, not necessarily a direct call.

someone phoned

This alternative places emphasis on the caller's action.

FAQs

How can I use "received a call" in a sentence?

You can use "received a call" to describe the act of being contacted by someone via telephone. For example, "I "received a call" from my doctor this morning".

What are some alternatives to saying "received a call"?

Alternatives include "got a phone call", "had a call", or "was called", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "received a call" or "got a call"?

"Received a call" is slightly more formal than "got a call". "Got a call" is perfectly acceptable in informal settings, while "received a call" is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.

What is the difference between "received a call" and "made a call"?

"Received a call" means you were the recipient of the phone call, while "made a call" means you initiated the phone call. They are opposite actions.