call someone back

Meaning

This expression means to telephone someone who tried to call you earlier, or to return a phone call. It is a very common phrasal verb used in both casual and business contexts. The pronoun (him, her, them, etc.) usually goes between 'call' and 'back'.

Examples

• I am busy right now, can I call you back?

  I am busy right now, can I call you back?

• She promised to call him back as soon as she got home.

  She promised to call him back as soon as she got home.

• He forgot to call me back yesterday.

  He forgot to call me back yesterday.

• Please ask her to call me back when she is free.

  Please ask her to call me back when she is free.

• I need to call my mom back before she gets worried.

  I need to call my mom back before she gets worried.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will call back you later.

  ✓ I will call you back later.

  When using a pronoun (like you, him, her, me), it must go between 'call' and 'back' in this phrasal verb.

• ✗ I will return call to you.

  ✓ I will call you back.

  'Return call' is noun-based and sounds stilted or unnatural in spoken English. Use 'call someone back' instead.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I missed your call, so I wanted to ___.

  💡 return your phone call

  Show answer

  call you back

• If he is busy, he will ___ later.

  💡 phone you again later

  Show answer

  call you back