Phrasal verb
call round
Definition
phrasal verb. to visit someone at their home for a short time, usually without a formal invitation.
phrasal verb. to pay a brief, informal visit to a person's residence; typically used in British English to denote a casual social call.
Examples
“I'll call round later this evening to see how you are.”
“Since he lives just down the street, he often calls round for a quick cup of tea.”
“The local vicar would occasionally call round to check on the elderly residents, ensuring they had enough supplies for the winter months.”
Examples
simple
“I'll call round later this evening to see how you are.”
contextual
“Since he lives just down the street, he often calls round for a quick cup of tea.”
complex
“The local vicar would occasionally call round to check on the elderly residents, ensuring they had enough supplies for the winter months.”
Usage
common in British English; often used with 'to' or 'for' to indicate the purpose of the visit.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'call back' (return a phone call) and 'call on' (a more formal visit); note that 'call round' is synonymous with 'drop by' or 'swing by' in American English.
Pitfall
I called round him yesterday.
I called round to see him yesterday.
this phrasal verb is intransitive regarding the person; you call round (to a place) rather than 'calling round' a person directly.
Phrasal verb
Particles
round
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
call + round