make a phone call

Meaning

To dial a number and speak to someone using a telephone. This expression uses the verb 'make' rather than 'do', which is a common point of confusion for English learners.

Examples

• Excuse me, I need to step outside to make a phone call.

  Excuse me, I need to step outside to make a phone call.

• It is rude to make a phone call while sitting at the dinner table.

  It is rude to make a phone call while sitting at the dinner table.

• I have to make a few phone calls before we can start the project.

  I have to make a few phone calls before we can start the project.

• Can I use your office to make a private phone call?

  Can I use your office to make a private phone call?

• She prefers to send a text message instead of making a phone call.

  She prefers to send a text message instead of making a phone call.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to do a phone call.

  ✓ I need to make a phone call.

  We always use the verb 'make' with 'phone call', never 'do'.

• ✗ He is making a call phone to his client.

  ✓ He is making a phone call to his client.

  The correct word order is 'phone call', where 'phone' acts as a noun modifier describing the type of 'call'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to go to a quiet room to ___ to my client.

  💡 Dial a number and talk to someone.

  Show answer

  make a phone call

• How often do you ___ instead of sending an email?

  💡 Use the telephone to talk to someone.

  Show answer

  make a phone call