takes the call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes the call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone answering or responding to a phone call or request for communication. Example: "When the phone rang, she quickly took the call, eager to hear the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But Tommy takes the call.

The New Yorker

On screen, Mr. Nelson takes the call.

The New York Times - Arts

Another driver quickly takes the call.

The New York Times

On the third day, he takes the call.

The Washington Post

If a child gets sick at school, who takes the call?

The New York Times

Go big," he says – just after Maya takes the call that her 20-year bid for justice has failed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He took the call.

The New Yorker

Bourdin took the call.

The New Yorker

He took the call, laughing.

The New Yorker

Mr. Leedom took the call.

The New York Times

Xu took the call.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "takes the call" to clearly indicate someone is responding to a telephone call, especially when the context involves receiving information or initiating a conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "takes the call" in contexts where the action is merely about receiving a message without active engagement. For instance, if someone simply listens to a voicemail without responding, "received the message" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes the call" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of answering a phone call. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts, such as business or personal situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

19%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "takes the call" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe answering a telephone call. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms that it is widely used in news, media, and academic contexts. While alternatives such as "answers the phone" or "responds to the call" exist, "takes the call" clearly conveys the action of engaging in a phone conversation. Remembering not to apply it to passive reception of messages, users can confidently incorporate this phrase in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

answers the phone

Replaces "takes" with "answers", focusing on the act of responding to the ringing phone.

receives the call

Emphasizes the action of getting the call, instead of answering.

picks up the call

Highlights the physical act of picking up the phone to answer.

responds to the call

Focuses on reacting to the summons or request made through the phone call.

accepts the call

Implies a willingness to engage with the caller.

attends to the call

Highlights giving attention and dealing with call.

fields the call

Suggests handling the call efficiently, often in a professional setting.

gets on the line

Indicates connecting to the phone line to communicate.

is on the phone

Emphasizes that somebody is using the phone in that moment.

greets the caller

Focuses on the initial interaction with the person calling.

FAQs

What does "takes the call" mean?

The phrase "takes the call" typically means someone answers or responds to a phone call. It implies that the person is engaging with the caller and addressing the reason for the call.

What can I say instead of "takes the call"?

You can use alternatives like "answers the phone", "receives the call", or "picks up the call" depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it better to say "take the call" or "answer the call"?

Both "take the call" and "answer the call" are correct and commonly used. "Take the call" might imply a more active engagement, while "answer the call" simply means responding to the phone ringing.

How do I use "takes the call" in a sentence?

You can use "takes the call" in sentences like: "When the phone rang, she quickly "takes the call", eager to hear the news" or "If a child gets sick at school, who "takes the call"?".