Call

Question

Greetings again,I have a question about articles use, which I ask with a trepidation, I have to tell you! Someone says, 'If your application goes through, we'll give you a call.'I respond:1. 'Okay. So I will wait for a call from you.''Okay. So I will wait for the call from you.'The way that I see this, either is fine. The a/the doesn't make much of a difference.But in the following I would say,'Okay. So I will wait for the call.'Only the definite article.Can someone '+1' (or -1 if I am wrong)?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Someone says, 'If your application goes through, we'll give you a call.' (Note that "the" is not used here.)

I respond:
1. 'Okay. So I will wait for a call from you.' (You answer in the same way. There might be more than one call. And they might not call you at all. For example, if you were in a very noisy place, such as your team just scored a goal in a football game and everyone was screaming, you could miss that call. You would then wait for the next time that they call.)

Better: 'Okay. So I will wait for your call.' (This is more polite, actually.)

'Okay. So I will wait for the call.' (This is presumptuous. You are almost demanding (or assuming) that they will accept your application and call you.)

When a call is certain and significant, then "the call" is used. For example, suppose your sister who lives in another city, is going to have her first baby. Her husband says, "It's any day now. We'll give you a call when the baby is born."
Then you can say eagerly, "I'll wait for the call."

Erasmus Student · Answer

I'd like to thank you for your professional and helpful explanation! Thank you, AlpheccaStars!

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