call
Primary: verbCan function as: verb, noun, adjective
Noun form derived from verb through zero derivation; adjective use mainly in compounds
๐ Pronunciation
/kษหl/
Syllables: call
Stress: single syllable
Long 'a' sound in American English, slightly different in British English
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Word Family
| Word Class | Forms |
|---|---|
| Verbs | call, calls, called, calling |
| Nouns | call, calls, calling |
| Adjectives | called |
๐ฏ Verb Forms
| Infinitive: | to call |
| Base form: | call |
| 3rd person singular: | calls |
| Past simple: | called |
| Past participle: | called |
| Present participle: | calling |
| Gerund: | calling |
๐ Meanings & Definitions
Noun Meanings
1
a spoken request or command to come
Countability: countable
“I received a call from my boss”
“She didn't answer my call”
Common collocations: make a call, receive a call, answer a call
Synonyms: summons, request
neutral
2
telephone conversation
Countability: countable
“I need to make a phone call”
“She's on a call”
Common collocations: phone call, video call, conference call
neutralcommunication
3
professional or moral duty
Countability: uncountable
“She felt a call to medicine”
“The call of duty”
Synonyms: vocation, calling
formal
Verb Meanings
1
to speak or shout to get attention
Aspect: action | Continuous: Yes
“He called my name”
“She's calling for help”
Synonyms: shout, yell
neutral
2
to telephone someone
Aspect: action | Continuous: Yes
“I'll call you tomorrow”
“She's calling her mother”
neutralcommunication
3
to give something a name or title
Aspect: action
“They called their daughter Emma”
“What do you call this in English?”
neutral
๐ง Verb Patterns
call + object
“She called her friend”
Note: Basic transitive pattern
call + object + noun/adjective
“They called him a genius”
Note: Naming or describing pattern
call + for + noun
“This situation calls for immediate action”
Note: Requiring or demanding something
โ ๏ธ Common Errors
โ I will call to you tomorrowโโ I will call you tomorrow
No preposition needed with direct object
Common for: Romance language speakers
Medium impact
โ She's calling me upโโ She's calling me
Unnecessary particle in formal contexts