Cool MateCall vs Shout
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Call
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Shout
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Call | Shout | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃaʊt/","/ʃaʊts/","/ˈʃaʊtɪd/","/ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃaʊt/","/ʃaʊts/","/ˈʃaʊtɪd/","/ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to shout or say someone's name loudly | To say something very loudly. |
| Example | I will call you later this evening. | She had to shout to be heard over the loud music. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | commonly, frequently, formerly, by, you could hardly call something…, you would hardly call something…, back, ahead, free, commonly, frequently, formerly, by, you could hardly call something…, you would hardly call something…, softly, loudly, out, for, to, softly, loudly, out, for, to | aloud, loudly, hoarsely, want to, try to, open your mouth to, about, above, after, keep on shouting, keep shouting, shout and scream, aloud, loudly, hoarsely, want to, try to, open your mouth to, about, above, after, keep on shouting, keep shouting, shout and scream |
| Antonyms | hang up, ignore | whisper, murmur |
| Common mistakes | 'Call' is sometimes confused with 'name' (e.g. 'I call him Tom' instead of 'I named him Tom')., 'Call' can be misused as a noun when it should be a verb (e.g. 'I make a call' instead of using 'call' directly). | Using 'shout' without an object, e.g., saying 'I shout.' Instead, use 'I shout greetings.', Confusing 'shout' with 'scream'. 'Scream' implies fear or pain., Forgetting to use appropriate context. Shouting may be seen as rude in quiet settings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'call' when you want to get someone's attention or talk to them on the phone. Avoid using it in very formal writing. | Use 'shout' for expressing strong emotions, excitement, or getting someone's attention. Avoid in formal settings or when a soft tone is more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Call vs Shout
What's the difference between Call and Shout?
Call: to shout or say someone's name loudly Shout: To say something very loudly.
Which is more advanced: Call and Shout?
Shout is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Call and Shout the same CEFR level?
Call: A1, Shout: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Call and Shout?
Call: verb, Shout: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Call: I will call you later this evening. Shout: She had to shout to be heard over the loud music.
Can I use Call and Shout interchangeably?
Not always. Call and Shout are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.