Cool MateCall vs Scream
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Call
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Scream
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Call | Scream | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/skriːm/","/skriːmz/","/skriːmd/","/ˈskriːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/skriːm/","/skriːmz/","/skriːmd/","/ˈskriːmɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to shout or say someone's name loudly | A loud noise made when someone is very scared or angry. |
| Example | I will call you later this evening. | She decided to scream at the top of her lungs to express her frustration. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| 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, silently, want to, try to, begin to, after, at, for, begin screaming, start screaming, scream your head off, aloud, loudly, silently, want to, try to, begin to, after, at, for, begin screaming, start screaming, scream your head off |
| Antonyms | hang up, ignore | whisper, silence |
| 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 'scream' as a synonym for 'shout' when the meaning differs., Confusing it with 'yell' which can imply anger., Incorrectly thinking 'scream' can only refer to fear, while it can also mean excitement. |
| 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. | Used in various contexts, from expressing fear to excitement. In formal situations, it may be considered too emotive. Suitable for informal conversations, but avoid in professional settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Call vs Scream
What's the difference between Call and Scream?
Call: to shout or say someone's name loudly Scream: A loud noise made when someone is very scared or angry.
Which is more advanced: Call and Scream?
Scream is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Call and Scream the same CEFR level?
Call: A1, Scream: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Call and Scream?
Call: verb, Scream: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Call: I will call you later this evening. Scream: She decided to scream at the top of her lungs to express her frustration.
Can I use Call and Scream interchangeably?
Not always. Call and Scream 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.