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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was the call

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was the call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific phone call or decision that was made in the past. Example: "I wasn't sure what the outcome would be, but I was curious about what was the call from the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But was the call correct?

News & Media

The New York Times

"But that was the call.

How memorable was the call?

How strange was the call?

Where was the call to action?

News & Media

The Guardian

When was the call for evacuation made?

News & Media

The New York Times

This was the call that we were hoping for.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Seriously, it was the call of freedom," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"That was the call I was waiting for.

Then there was the call from some friends in Washington.

News & Media

The New York Times

Black empowerment was the call, self-determination was the aim.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was the call" when referring to a specific decision or instruction that was communicated, often implying importance or finality. For example, "The critical moment was the call to evacuate the building."

Common error

Avoid using "was the call" in overly abstract or philosophical contexts where a more nuanced verb would be appropriate. For instance, instead of "Freedom was the call," consider "Freedom was the objective" or "Freedom was the rallying cry."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was the call" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying or renaming the subject. Ludwig's examples show it often highlights a crucial decision, instruction, or appeal, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was the call" is a frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, that typically functions to emphasize a significant decision, instruction, or communication, particularly within news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and avoid using it in abstract or overly casual situations where alternative expressions might be more appropriate. Understanding its typical usage helps in crafting clear and impactful sentences. You can replace it with "represented the decision" or "constituted the appeal" depending on the context.

FAQs

How can I use "was the call" in a sentence?

You can use "was the call" to describe a key decision or instruction, as in, "The turning point of the game "was the call" to attempt a field goal."

What's a good alternative to "was the call"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "represented the decision", "constituted the appeal", or "amounted to the selection".

Is it correct to say "the call was" instead of "was the call"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was the call" often emphasizes the significance or nature of the call. "The call was" is a more neutral statement of fact.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "was the call"?

Avoid using "was the call" in contexts where it sounds overly dramatic or unnatural. For instance, it may not be suitable for everyday, casual conversations.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: