took to calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took to calling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a habit or a tendency that someone has developed over time, particularly in reference to how they refer to someone or something. Example: "After a few weeks of working together, she took to calling him 'the genius' because of his innovative ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shaffer took to calling Dexter "Rose".

The Guardian

People took to calling him the "spare tire".

The New York Times

They soon took to calling her "the tiger's wife".

The New York Times - Books

"I just took to calling it the Bat," Lucius says.

The New Yorker

The palace staff took to calling him Comrade General.

The New Yorker

Then he took to calling me over to the desk.

The New York Times - Arts

Watson took to calling his coach "The Devil".

The Guardian - Sport

The German press took to calling him the "Miracle Man".

The New York Times - Books

He took to calling himself the Comte de Rola.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some Indian newspapers have taken to calling him "Dr. No".

The New York Times

Angry Hong Kongers have taken to calling mainland visitors "locusts".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took to calling" to indicate the start of a habitual way of referring to someone or something, often implying a sense of affection, humor, or adaptation over time. This is especially effective in narrative contexts to show character development or evolving relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "took to calling" if you simply mean someone called someone something on one occasion. The phrase implies a repeated action or a newly formed habit. Instead, use 'called' or 'referred to' for singular instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took to calling" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of a habit, specifically in how someone refers to another person or thing. This is evident in the examples from Ludwig, where individuals or groups began to use a particular name or title regularly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took to calling" is a versatile idiomatic phrase used to describe the inception of a calling habit. As supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples, it's grammatically correct and particularly common in news and media contexts. It signifies the development of a new, often affectionate or humorous way of referring to someone or something. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an evolving pattern of speech and is appropriate for the intended tone and audience. Remember that the meaning of this phrase is connected to the idea of the beginning of a habit, and Ludwig AI confirms this is accurate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began calling

Focuses on the commencement of the action of calling, without necessarily implying fondness or habit.

started calling

Similar to "began calling", but emphasizes the beginning of the calling action.

commenced calling

More formal alternative, indicating the initiation of referring to something or someone in a specific way.

developed a habit of calling

Highlights the formation of a repeated behavior in naming or referring to someone or something.

became accustomed to calling

Suggests a gradual acceptance and routine use of a particular name or term.

got into the habit of calling

Implies a gradual adoption of the behavior.

fell into the practice of calling

Emphasizes the unintentional or natural adoption of a calling habit.

adopted the habit of calling

Focuses on the deliberate choice to start a calling habit.

turned to calling

Suggests a shift or decision to use a specific name or term.

initiated the practice of calling

Formal alternative highlighting the beginning of the calling practice.

FAQs

How do I use "took to calling" in a sentence?

Use "took to calling" to describe the beginning of a habit of referring to someone or something in a specific way. For example, "After working closely together, the team "took to calling" their project 'The Phoenix' because of its many revivals".

What are some alternatives to "took to calling"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "began calling", "started calling", or "developed a habit of calling" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "began to call" instead of "took to calling"?

Yes, "began to call" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, though it might lack the nuance of habitual behavior implied by ""took to calling"".

What's the difference between "took to calling" and "started calling"?

"Started calling" simply indicates the beginning of the action of calling, while ""took to calling"" often suggests the development of a habit or a more affectionate or informal way of referring to someone or something over time.