start a call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start a call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to initiating a phone or video call with someone. Example: "I will start a call with the team at 3 PM to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

To send a message or start a call, use the SendMessageDirect and MakePhoneCallDirect blocks, respectively.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"If we would start a call box program today, we would take into account that so many people have cellphones".

The New York Times

Line2 can start a call on AT&T's 3G network and then transfer to Wi-Fi, whereas Apple won't allow Skype to handle calls via AT&T.

The New York Times - Tech

Before you start a call, make sure no one else on the network is doing bandwidth-intensive tasks like online gaming or streaming a movie.

The New York Times

You can start a call at home, get in your car, drive away and talk for free until the battery's dead.

The New York Times

You can use voice commands for Glass by adding the phrase "Okay, Glass" to the start of whatever you tell it to do -- launch an app, take a picture, start a call, etc. Users can also wake up Glass by looking up.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Sister Kate is planning to start a call-in campaigns across the Central Valley, urging growers and customers to flood city council members with phone calls every Friday until they come up with reasonable regulations.

The Guardian

Through its interfaces, detailed in [26], the Agency Client can start a Call-for-Proposal, based on a component description of the application and the policy specifications (a HTTP POST message embedding an SLA is sent to the Agency).

Journal of Cloud Computing

Facebook will ask for permission before starting a call.

WikiHow

Clicking the Call button will start a voice call.

WikiHow

Tap the "Phone" button to start a voice call, or the "Camera" button to start a video call.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start a call" in technical documentation, ensure you specify the method or interface used to initiate the call, such as "start a call using the API".

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when describing a sequence of actions related to starting a call. For example, instead of saying "After you started a call, you will see the options", use "After you start a call, you will see the options" to maintain consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start a call" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a telephone or video conversation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples in various contexts. The phrase typically involves a subject (the person or device initiating the call) and implies an action taken to connect with another party.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start a call" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of initiating a telephone or video conversation. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is prevalent across various contexts, including news, wiki articles, and academic materials. While alternatives like "initiate a call" or "begin a call" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality. Best practices involve ensuring clarity in technical documentation, while common errors include inconsistencies in tense. Overall, "start a call" serves as a straightforward and versatile expression for beginning a communication session.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate a call

Uses a more formal verb, 'initiate', to convey the same action.

begin a call

Replaces 'start' with 'begin', offering a slightly more formal alternative.

make a call

Uses a more common verb, 'make', to describe the action of calling someone.

place a call

Emphasizes the action of 'placing' or initiating the call.

commence a call

Uses a highly formal verb, 'commence', making it suitable for official contexts.

originate a call

Focuses on the call's point of origin or initiation.

establish a call

Highlights the creation of a connection through the call.

launch a call

Implies a deliberate action of starting the call, similar to launching a project.

trigger a call

Suggests that the call is initiated by some specific action or event.

set up a call

Focuses on the preparation aspect before the call can begin.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "start a call"?

You can use alternatives such as "initiate a call", "begin a call", or "make a call" depending on the context.

How do I properly use "start a call" in a sentence?

Use "start a call" to describe the action of beginning a phone or video call. For example, "To reach customer service, you must first start a call."

Is there a difference between "start a call" and "initiate a call"?

While both phrases are similar, "initiate a call" is slightly more formal than "start a call". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Can I use "start a call" in professional communication?

Yes, "start a call" is appropriate for most professional communication contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using "initiate a call" for a more sophisticated tone.