Gateway to Grammar: Phrasal verbs with “Call”

That picture makes me think using a megaphone to call the cats in might be a bit more effective, but I don’t think the neighbours would like it.

Phrasal verbs (or split verbs) are verbs that are made of more than one word. Many of the most common phrases in English are phrasal verbs! Why? Because the English are awkward.

Let’s have a look at the most common phrasal verbs using “call” as the main verb. Please be aware though, phrasal verbs are different in different English-speaking countries, so the following are true for the UK:

·         Call in: To call work and notify them of something (I called in sick this morning). To shout outside and ask people or animals to come inside.

·         Call out: To shout loudly, or to bring attention to something another person has done (I called James out on his racist views at the meeting yesterday).

·         Call off: To cancel.

·         Call up: To telephone someone.

·         Call by: An informal visit to someone, often on the way to another location (I called by Sue’s house on the way to the Cinema).

So, I have decided I will not use a megaphone to call the cats in, I think I will start opera singing lessons to get a naturally more powerful cat calling voice. “Come hoooooooooooooooome”.