start calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start calling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to begin making phone calls or to initiate communication with someone. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please start calling the team members for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everybody start calling crime "emirc".

The New Yorker

"I'll start calling.

The New York Times

And eventually they'd start calling".

The New York Times - Style

And you'll start calling them.

Harvard Business Review

She may start calling herself the underdog.

The New York Times

"Just start calling me 014," Whitacre boasts.

The New York Times - Books

"We should start calling this law SCOTUScare".

The Guardian

"Then people start calling, asking for favors".

The New York Times

Must they start calling  me 'Sir'?

The Guardian - Sport

Personally, I'm going to start calling soon.

The New York Times - Arts

Let's start calling benefits what they truly are: social insurance.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "start calling", be specific about who they should call and the purpose of the calls. Clarity prevents wasted time and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "start calling" excessively in formal reports or business correspondence. Opt for more professional alternatives like "initiate contact" or "begin communication" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start calling" primarily functions as a verb phrase initiating the action of making phone calls. Ludwig examples show it used in instructions and commands, like ""start calling" the candidates". It signals the commencement of phone-based communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

26%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start calling" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that instructs someone to begin making phone calls. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is accurate and appropriate for different writing scenarios. It is particularly common in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "begin phoning". To use this phrase effectively, provide specific instructions about who to call and why. Avoid overuse in highly formal writing. With its straightforward meaning and common application, "start calling" is a valuable addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin phoning

More formal and less common alternative. It emphasizes the action of phoning rather than the initiation.

initiate contact by phone

Highly formal, suitable for business or technical contexts. Specifies the mode of communication explicitly.

make a call

Focuses on the action of making a single call rather than a series of calls. Implies a decision to call.

phone

Shorter, more direct command to call. Suitable in informal contexts when brevity is important.

give a ring

Very informal, idiomatic expression. Best suited for casual conversations.

get on the phone

Emphasizes the process of getting ready to make a call, suggesting preparation is involved.

call now

Implies urgency or immediacy. Direct command to call without delay.

dial

Focused on the action of dialing a number, can be used to replace "start calling" only in limited contexts where emphasis is on the dialing action.

start telephoning

Similar to "begin phoning" but even more formal and outdated. Rarely used in modern conversation.

commence calling

Very formal and somewhat archaic. Suitable only for highly formal or ceremonial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "start calling" in a sentence?

You can use "start calling" to instruct someone to begin making phone calls. For example, "If you need more information, "start calling" the customer service line".

What can I say instead of "start calling"?

You can use alternatives like "begin phoning", "initiate contact by phone", or "make a call" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "start calling" or "begin to call"?

Both ""start calling"" and "begin to call" are grammatically correct, but ""start calling"" is more direct and commonly used. "Begin to call" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "start calling" and "call now"?

"Start calling" implies initiating a series of calls or beginning a process of calling, while "call now" suggests an immediate, single phone call is needed.