What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
telephoned
Example
I telephoned my friend to ask if she wanted to go to the movies. [telephoned: past tense]
Example
He telephoned his boss to inform him about the delay. [telephoned: verb]
called
Example
I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday. [called: past tense]
Example
She called the restaurant to make a reservation. [called: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Called is more commonly used than telephoned in everyday language. Called is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while telephoned is less common and typically used in more formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between telephoned and called?
Telephoned is more formal than called. It is typically used in professional or formal settings, while called can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
