stopped to call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopped to call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone paused their current activity in order to make a phone call. Example: "She stopped to call her friend before continuing her journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He stopped to call Ms. Cook, a longtime mentor.

The New York Times

Fans streaming away from the 18th green spotted him and stopped to call his name.

The New York Times - Sports

During an interview, she stopped to call Mark Sanchez with a reminder.

The New York Times - Sports

Groundskeepers, ball boys, players, and sportswriters stopped to call out "Hi, Ralph!" Someone pushing a cartfull of bats said, "Ralph!

The New Yorker

"I was in Canada on a remote mountain in Banff when I saw a phone box and I stopped to call LA and they confirmed I'd got the gig.

The Guardian - Film

I was hiking up in Canada on a remote mountain in Banff when I saw a phone box and I stopped to call LA and they confirmed I'd got the gig.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

At which it is time to put up a hand and say stop, to call a halt.

The Guardian - Sport

They continued driving for about two miles before stopping to call for help.

Los Angeles Times

The village has neither post office nor railroad stop to call its own.

The New York Times

"Bye!" 9 30 p.m.: I stop working to call my dad.

Huffington Post

A witness stopped to help her and called the authorities.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "stopped to call" to clearly indicate that someone interrupted an action specifically to make a phone call. This distinguishes it from stopping for other reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "stopped to call" when the reason for stopping is ambiguous or unrelated to making a phone call. If the reason for stopping isn't connected to making a phone call, use a more general term like "stopped and called".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped to call" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action (stopping) performed with a specific purpose (to make a phone call). Ludwig examples illustrate the phrase in various contexts, from personal calls to professional responsibilities, reflecting its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stopped to call" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a deliberate pause in an action to make a phone call. Ludwig confirms its correctness and suitability for various contexts, especially within news and media. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage is consistent and easily understood. When using this phrase, ensure the purpose of stopping is clearly linked to the act of calling, differentiating it from simply stopping and then calling. Alternatives like "paused to call" or "took a break to call" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Ultimately, "stopped to call" effectively conveys a specific interruption for communication purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused to telephone

Replaces "call" with a more formal synonym, "telephone".

halted to phone

Uses "halted" instead of "stopped", suggesting a more abrupt interruption.

took a break to call

Emphasizes the interruption as a break from activity.

interrupted activity to call

Explicitly mentions that an activity was interrupted.

broke off to call

Suggests an abrupt stop in order to make a call.

ceased activity to call

More formal than "stopped", emphasizing cessation of activity.

discontinued to call

Emphasizes the temporary cessation of activity.

broke stride to call

Emphasizes that a steady pace was interrupted.

suspended action to call

A more formal and deliberate pause in an action.

took time out to call

Highlights setting aside time specifically for calling.

FAQs

What does "stopped to call" mean?

The phrase "stopped to call" means that someone interrupted their current activity or movement in order to make a phone call. It implies a deliberate pause for the specific purpose of calling someone.

How can I use "stopped to call" in a sentence?

You can use "stopped to call" to describe someone interrupting their activity to make a phone call. For example: "She "paused to call" her friend before continuing her journey".

What can I say instead of "stopped to call"?

You can use alternatives like ""paused to call"", "took a break to call", or "halted to phone" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "stopped to call" and "stopped and called"?

Yes, "stopped to call" implies the purpose of stopping was to make a call. "Stopped and called" simply indicates two separate actions: the person stopped, and then they called, without necessarily implying a direct connection between the two.