call in on / call on

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candy

#182697 Fri, 13 Jan 06 04:58 PM

"Fanella agreed to call in on Teresa on her way home from work."

Can you tell me the difference between 'call in on' and 'call on'?

Many thanks in advance. Smile [:)]

Candy

candy

Joined on Mon, Sep 8 2003

Full Member (396)

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YoHf

#182709 Fri, 13 Jan 06 05:06 PM

Courtecy of www.answers.com

call in

To take out of circulation: calling in silver dollars.
To summon for assistance or consultation: call in a specialist.
To communicate with another by telephone: Has the boss called in today?

call on

To order or request to undertake a particular activity: called on our friends to help.

Hope this helps...

Yes [Y]

YoHf

Joined on Wed, Oct 26 2005

Florence, Italy

Senior Member (3,345)

To be yourself is all that you can do. Music [8]

nona the brit

#183061 Sat, 14 Jan 06 11:39 AM

Call in on and call on - in this context both have the meaning of a brief visit to friends, usually as part of a journey to somewhere else.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,438)

The name says it all.

davkett

#183139 Sat, 14 Jan 06 03:25 PM

YoHf,

'Call in' is not the same as 'call in on'. Nona's response fits the situation here.

davkett

Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005

Pennsylvania, USA

Senior Member (2,788)

"The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

YoHf

#183263 Sat, 14 Jan 06 08:19 PM

Oh, yes Davkett, you're totally right there... I read it in a bad way, also due to my browser that's going mad, allowing me to see pages just in a little version, so I have to use the "magnifier" from Windows... Tongue Tied [:S]

Yes [Y]

YoHf

candy

#183469 Sun, 15 Jan 06 10:37 AM

Many thanks for answering my question. Smile [:)]

Can I ask a couple of questions about 'call in on' as I couldn't find it in dictionaries?

Does this idiomatic expression have any different meanings?

If so, in what context should I use it? Thinking [8-)]

...Hope you don't mind me asking one more question...!

Is 'call in on' used as common as 'call on'?

Thanks for your help in advance. Smile [:)]

candy

Expressions

nona the brit

#183507 Sun, 15 Jan 06 12:11 PM

I think 'call on' would be more of an arranged visit. 'We are going to call on Auntie Julie this afternoon as we haven't seen her for over two years.' I'd still see this as a fairly short time, maybe just stopping in for tea and biscuits and a chat. 'We are going to visit/see Auntie Julie' could mean you will be there all day.

'Call in on' really suggests a brief visit, a short stop. I'm going to call in on Pete before I go to the shops, to pick up my photos, so shall I grab your book while I'm there?'

nona the brit

candy

#183624 Sun, 15 Jan 06 04:21 PM

Hi Nona,

Thank you so much for your reply. Smile [:)]

I always thought 'visit' and 'call on' mean exactly the same, so I'm a little surprised to know that there would be a difference in meaning in some cases.

Nona The Brit wrote:

'Call in on' really suggests a brief visit, a short stop. I'm going to call in on Pete before I go to the shops, to pick up my photos, so shall I grab your book while I'm there?'

Now it's clear to me..... there's a subtle difference between the two! Thanks again for your great help, Nona. (Unfortunately my dictionaries don't teach this kind of stuff .....!!) Wink [;)]

candy

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