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I was on a call vs I was on the call

Both sentences are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I was on a call' refers to being on any call, while 'I was on the call' refers to a particular call that was previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.
Michele A. profile picture

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 09, 2024 • 14678 views

I was on a call

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a general statement indicating that the speaker was on a phone call without specifying which call it was.

Examples:

  • I was on a call when you called me earlier.
  • She couldn't talk because she was on a call.
  • Before I came down here, I was on a call with my superiors back on earth.
  • Then I was on a call to St Jude's in Chicago.
  • I was on a call, I found her - walking home in this weather.
  • Then I was on a call to St Jude's in Chicago.
  • I was on a call.

Alternatives:

  • I was on a video call.
  • I was on a conference call.
  • I was on a business call.
  • I was on a personal call.

I was on the call

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is more specific and refers to a particular call that was previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.

Examples:

  • I was on the call with our client when the issue arose.
  • She was on the call discussing the project details.
  • I was on the call.
  • I was the resident on call that night, in trauma.
  • I'm standing there with Pritchard and Lewis, and they keep on asking me who I was with in the on-call room last night.
  • And I was just explaining that Detective Morrison's unit took the call and responded first.
  • I was squad team leader when the call came in.
  • I was putting my kids to sleep when I got the call.
  • I was rollin' with a patrolman when the call came.
  • I don't think this is the call I was expecting.
  • I was doing dishes when I got the call.
  • Then this is the call I was expecting.
  • I was very excited to get the call this morning.
  • Hells yes, I was glad to get the call.
  • I was tracing the call-routing now.
  • But I was able to pull the call logs.
  • I was in McMurdo when the call came in.
  • I got the call at a speech I was giving for Peter.
  • I was there when she got the call.
  • I was listening very carefully to the calls for better governance.
  • I was with Max when he got the call.
  • Before the call, I was this-this Agent Afloat, starting this new career.

Alternatives:

  • I was on the phone call.
  • I was on that call.
  • I was on the important call.
  • I was on the conference call.

Related Comparisons

I was on vacation. vs I was on a vacation. I'm in a call vs I'm on a call I was on a bus vs I was taking a bus I was sitting in a chair. vs I was sitting on a chair. I am on call vs I am in call I was on a small vacation vs little vacation

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