call

call around		phone many different places/people	We called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed.
call someone back		return a phone call	I called the companyback but the offices were closed for the weekend.
call something off		cancel	Jason called the weddingoff because he wasn't in love with his fiancé.
call on someone		ask for an answer or opinion	The professor called onme for question 1.
call on someone		visit someone	We called on you last night but you weren't home.
call someone up		phone	Give me your phone number and I will call youup when we are in town.

Phrasal Verb CALL

The phrasal verb call is made and used like the other English phrasal verbs.

Study the list below and then do the exercise that follows. Then, check your answers for the phrasal verb call.

CALL AFTER = be named after someone

He was called Joe after his uncle who had died in the war.

CALL AROUND = Visit

I'll call around in the afternoon if that's ok?

CALL BACK = Return a phone call

You better call back John, he's called twice already.

CALL FOR = A. demand B. phone call C. require D. pick sme from a certain place

A. There's not much call for refrigerators in the Arctic Circle.
B. Did you call for an appointment?
C. This good news calls for a celebration!
D. He called for her at home but she wasn't there last night.

CALL FORTH = make something happen

The tsunami in Indonesia called forth a great deal of humanitarian aid from around the world.

CALL IN = A. get someone to come and do sth B. short visit

A. We had to call in a plumber because our drain was clogged.
B. The Smith's called in last night and we had a pleasant visit.

CALL OFF = cancel

The reunion was called off because not enough people could attend.

CALL ON = A. visit B. ask a student a question in class

A. We called on the Jones family last Sunday afternoon.
B. The teacher called on Scott who knew the answer, fortunately.

CALL ROUND = visit

I'll call round in the evening if that's ok?

CALL UP = A. summon for military service B. telephone

A. He was called up to active duty when the war broke out.
B. Why don't you call up a friend and see if they want to go to town with us?

'Call' phrasal verbs

We often use the verb to call to describe telephone contact. Here are some examples:

I'm going to call up my Mum. This is a more informal term when you are the one who makes the phone call. 

I'll call you back. This means I will return your phone call.

Let's call around and get three quotes. This means to make lots of phone calls to various people.

Here are some other phrasal verbs using call:

call back	Come back later because the person you are visiting is busy now.
call in / round	Visit someone for a short time, usually when you are on your way somewhere else.
call out	Speak loudly to get someone's attention, often for help.
call over	To ask someone to come over to you.
call on	To ask a favour of someone.
call upon	Formal meaning for call on. A special request.
call off	To cancel something.
call for	To deserve a certain action to make the situation better.
your (sb's) call	It is your (someone's) choice or decision.