Thread: Aspect ((по)звонить)

Originally Posted by Crocodile

Originally Posted by Yuki

Statistics by using google site:.ru only
несколько раз звонил:9987 hits
несколько раз позвонил: 57 hits

Well, some other native Russian speakers might disagree, but in my opinion a subtle difference could be in the completness of the action.

Here's how:

Я звонил = I called (however maybe no one answered)
Я позвонил = I made a call (someone answered and I had a conversation)

That's why I think the situation in which you "несколько раз позвонил" is possible, but probably happens less often for usually one phone conversation is enough. And that's what the interpretation of your statistics could be.

+1