diff --git a/src/arb/Complex.jl b/src/arb/Complex.jl
index 32370ca05..4f26a1680 100644
--- a/src/arb/Complex.jl
+++ b/src/arb/Complex.jl
@@ -27,16 +27,9 @@ is_domain_type(::Type{ComplexFieldElem}) = true
 
 is_exact_type(::Type{ComplexFieldElem}) = false
 
-function zero(r::ComplexField)
-  z = ComplexFieldElem()
-  return z
-end
+zero(r::ComplexField) = ComplexFieldElem()
 
-function one(r::ComplexField)
-  z = ComplexFieldElem()
-  ccall((:acb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, ), z)
-  return z
-end
+one(r::ComplexField) = one!(ComplexFieldElem())
 
 @doc raw"""
     onei(r::ComplexField)
@@ -45,7 +38,7 @@ Return exact one times $i$ in the given Arb complex field.
 """
 function onei(r::ComplexField)
   z = ComplexFieldElem()
-  ccall((:acb_onei, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, ), z)
+  onei!(z)
   return z
 end
 
@@ -156,11 +149,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ComplexFieldElem)
-  z = ComplexFieldElem()
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ComplexFieldElem) = neg!(ComplexFieldElem(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -239,29 +228,25 @@ end
 function -(x::UInt, y::ComplexFieldElem)
   z = ComplexFieldElem()
   ccall((:acb_sub_ui, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, UInt, Int), z, y, x, precision(Balls))
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::Int, y::ComplexFieldElem)
   z = ComplexFieldElem()
   ccall((:acb_sub_si, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Int, Int), z, y, x, precision(Balls))
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::ZZRingElem, y::ComplexFieldElem)
   z = ComplexFieldElem()
   ccall((:acb_sub_fmpz, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ZZRingElem}, Int), z, y, x, precision(Balls))
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::RealFieldElem, y::ComplexFieldElem)
   z = ComplexFieldElem()
   ccall((:acb_sub_arb, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{RealFieldElem}, Int), z, y, x, precision(Balls))
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 +(x::ComplexFieldElem, y::Integer) = x + flintify(y)
@@ -1581,13 +1566,23 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::ComplexFieldElem)
-  ccall((:acb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::ComplexFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_zero(z::Ref{ComplexFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ComplexFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_one(z::Ref{ComplexFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function onei!(z::ComplexFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_onei(z::Ref{ComplexFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::ComplexFieldElem)
-  ccall((:acb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexFieldElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::ComplexFieldElemOrPtr, a::ComplexFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_neg(z::Ref{ComplexFieldElem}, a::Ref{ComplexFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
@@ -1675,21 +1670,21 @@ for (typeofx, passtoc) in ((ComplexFieldElem, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), (Ptr{Compl
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{RealFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::BigFloat)
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{RealFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::BigFloat, p::Int)
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{RealFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::Int, z::Int, p::Int)
@@ -1728,7 +1723,7 @@ for (typeofx, passtoc) in ((ComplexFieldElem, Ref{ComplexFieldElem}), (Ptr{Compl
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{RealFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::Complex, p::Int)
diff --git a/src/arb/ComplexMat.jl b/src/arb/ComplexMat.jl
index add2973ad..2fe4be9a3 100644
--- a/src/arb/ComplexMat.jl
+++ b/src/arb/ComplexMat.jl
@@ -80,9 +80,7 @@ setindex!(x::ComplexMatrix, y::Tuple{Rational{T}, Rational{T}}, r::Int, c::Int)
 setindex!(x, map(QQFieldElem, y), r, c)
 
 function one(x::ComplexMatrixSpace)
-  z = x()
-  ccall((:acb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(x())
 end
 
 number_of_rows(a::ComplexMatrix) = a.r
@@ -101,11 +99,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ComplexMatrix)
-  z = similar(x)
-  ccall((:acb_mat_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexMatrix}, Ref{ComplexMatrix}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ComplexMatrix) = neg!(similar(x), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -723,6 +717,21 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
+function zero!(z::ComplexMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_zero(z::Ref{ComplexMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ComplexMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_one(z::Ref{ComplexMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function neg!(z::ComplexMatrixOrPtr, a::ComplexMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_neg(z::Ref{ComplexMatrix}, a::Ref{ComplexMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
 for (s,f) in (("add!","acb_mat_add"), ("mul!","acb_mat_mul"),
               ("sub!","acb_mat_sub"))
   @eval begin
@@ -893,9 +902,7 @@ function identity_matrix(R::ComplexField, n::Int)
   if n < 0
     error("dimension must not be negative")
   end
-  z = ComplexMatrix(n, n)
-  ccall((:acb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(ComplexMatrix(n, n))
 end
 
 ################################################################################
diff --git a/src/arb/ComplexPoly.jl b/src/arb/ComplexPoly.jl
index d6d1270e9..5d8ce723b 100644
--- a/src/arb/ComplexPoly.jl
+++ b/src/arb/ComplexPoly.jl
@@ -224,11 +224,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ComplexPolyRingElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:acb_poly_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem}, Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ComplexPolyRingElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -638,7 +634,7 @@ function roots(x::ComplexPolyRingElem; target=0, isolate_real=false, initial_pre
             im = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{arb_struct},
                        (Ptr{ComplexFieldElem}, ), roots + i * sizeof(acb_struct))
             if ccall((:arb_contains_zero, libflint), Bool, (Ptr{arb_struct}, ), im)
-              ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{arb_struct}, ), im)
+              zero!(im)
             end
           end
         end
@@ -702,13 +698,18 @@ end
 #
 ###############################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::ComplexPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:acb_poly_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::ComplexPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_zero(z::Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ComplexPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_one(z::Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::ComplexPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:acb_poly_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::ComplexPolyRingElemOrPtr, a::ComplexPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_neg(z::Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem}, a::Ref{ComplexPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
diff --git a/src/arb/Real.jl b/src/arb/Real.jl
index 6e72c3eb6..6f1012a2a 100644
--- a/src/arb/Real.jl
+++ b/src/arb/Real.jl
@@ -586,11 +586,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::RealFieldElem)
-  z = RealFieldElem()
-  ccall((:arb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealFieldElem}, Ref{RealFieldElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::RealFieldElem) = neg!(RealFieldElem(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -1929,20 +1925,25 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::RealFieldElem)
-  ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealFieldElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::RealFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_zero(z::Ref{RealFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::RealFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_one(z::Ref{RealFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::RealFieldElem)
-  ccall((:arb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealFieldElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::RealFieldElemOrPtr, a::RealFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_neg(z::Ref{RealFieldElem}, a::Ref{RealFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
 for (s,f) in (("add!","arb_add"), ("mul!","arb_mul"), ("div!", "arb_div"),
               ("sub!","arb_sub"))
   @eval begin
-    function ($(Symbol(s)))(z::RealFieldElem, x::RealFieldElem, y::RealFieldElem, prec::Int = precision(Balls))
+    function ($(Symbol(s)))(z::RealFieldElemOrPtr, x::RealFieldElemOrPtr, y::RealFieldElemOrPtr, prec::Int = precision(Balls))
       ccall(($f, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealFieldElem}, Ref{RealFieldElem}, Ref{RealFieldElem}, Int),
             z, x, y, prec)
       return z
diff --git a/src/arb/RealMat.jl b/src/arb/RealMat.jl
index e8efd1104..5796bdd5f 100644
--- a/src/arb/RealMat.jl
+++ b/src/arb/RealMat.jl
@@ -68,9 +68,7 @@ Base.@propagate_inbounds setindex!(x::RealMatrix, y::Rational{T},
 setindex!(x, ZZRingElem(y), r, c)
 
 function one(x::RealMatrixSpace)
-  z = x()
-  ccall((:arb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(x())
 end
 
 number_of_rows(a::RealMatrix) = a.r
@@ -89,11 +87,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::RealMatrix)
-  z = similar(x)
-  ccall((:arb_mat_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealMatrix}, Ref{RealMatrix}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::RealMatrix) = neg!(similar(x), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -665,6 +659,21 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
+function zero!(z::RealMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_zero(z::Ref{RealMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::RealMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_one(z::Ref{RealMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function neg!(z::RealMatrixOrPtr, a::RealMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_neg(z::Ref{RealMatrix}, a::Ref{RealMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
 for (s,f) in (("add!","arb_mat_add"), ("mul!","arb_mat_mul"),
               ("sub!","arb_mat_sub"))
   @eval begin
@@ -783,9 +792,7 @@ function identity_matrix(R::RealField, n::Int)
   if n < 0
     error("dimension must not be negative")
   end
-  z = RealMatrix(n, n)
-  ccall((:arb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(RealMatrix(n, n))
 end
 
 ###############################################################################
diff --git a/src/arb/RealPoly.jl b/src/arb/RealPoly.jl
index f67c48c5a..191a6a25d 100644
--- a/src/arb/RealPoly.jl
+++ b/src/arb/RealPoly.jl
@@ -210,11 +210,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::RealPolyRingElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:arb_poly_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{RealPolyRingElem}, Ref{RealPolyRingElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::RealPolyRingElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -601,15 +597,18 @@ end
 #
 ###############################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::RealPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:arb_poly_zero, libflint), Nothing,
-        (Ref{RealPolyRingElem}, ), z)
+function zero!(z::RealPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_zero(z::Ref{RealPolyRingElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::RealPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_one(z::Ref{RealPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::RealPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:arb_poly_one, libflint), Nothing,
-        (Ref{RealPolyRingElem}, ), z)
+function neg!(z::RealPolyRingElemOrPtr, a::RealPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_neg(z::Ref{RealPolyRingElem}, a::Ref{RealPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
diff --git a/src/arb/acb.jl b/src/arb/acb.jl
index 5e8632c6d..a0e33edec 100644
--- a/src/arb/acb.jl
+++ b/src/arb/acb.jl
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ end
 
 function one(r::AcbField)
   z = AcbFieldElem()
-  ccall((:acb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, ), z)
+  one!(z)
   z.parent = r
   return z
 end
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Return exact one times $i$ in the given Arb complex field.
 """
 function onei(r::AcbField)
   z = AcbFieldElem()
-  ccall((:acb_onei, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, ), z)
+  onei!(z)
   z.parent = r
   return z
 end
@@ -160,11 +160,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::AcbFieldElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::AcbFieldElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -243,29 +239,25 @@ end
 function -(x::UInt, y::AcbFieldElem)
   z = parent(y)()
   ccall((:acb_sub_ui, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}, UInt, Int), z, y, x, parent(y).prec)
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::Int, y::AcbFieldElem)
   z = parent(y)()
   ccall((:acb_sub_si, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Int, Int), z, y, x, parent(y).prec)
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::ZZRingElem, y::AcbFieldElem)
   z = parent(y)()
   ccall((:acb_sub_fmpz, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{ZZRingElem}, Int), z, y, x, parent(y).prec)
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 function -(x::ArbFieldElem, y::AcbFieldElem)
   z = parent(y)()
   ccall((:acb_sub_arb, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{ArbFieldElem}, Int), z, y, x, parent(y).prec)
-  ccall((:acb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem}, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), z, z)
-  return z
+  return neg!(z)
 end
 
 +(x::AcbFieldElem, y::Integer) = x + ZZRingElem(y)
@@ -1569,13 +1561,23 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::AcbFieldElem)
-  ccall((:acb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::AcbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_zero(z::Ref{AcbFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::AcbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_one(z::Ref{AcbFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function onei!(z::AcbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_onei(z::Ref{AcbFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::AcbFieldElem)
-  ccall((:acb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbFieldElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::AcbFieldElemOrPtr, a::AcbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_neg(z::Ref{AcbFieldElem}, a::Ref{AcbFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
@@ -1663,21 +1665,21 @@ for (typeofx, passtoc) in ((AcbFieldElem, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), (Ptr{AcbFieldElem}
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::BigFloat)
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::BigFloat, p::Int)
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::Int, z::Int, p::Int)
@@ -1716,7 +1718,7 @@ for (typeofx, passtoc) in ((AcbFieldElem, Ref{AcbFieldElem}), (Ptr{AcbFieldElem}
       r = ccall((:acb_real_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
       _arb_set(r, y, p)
       i = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, (($passtoc), ), x)
-      ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{ArbFieldElem}, ), i)
+      zero!(i)
     end
 
     function _acb_set(x::($typeofx), y::Complex, p::Int)
diff --git a/src/arb/acb_mat.jl b/src/arb/acb_mat.jl
index 47fbaf416..925442d07 100644
--- a/src/arb/acb_mat.jl
+++ b/src/arb/acb_mat.jl
@@ -83,9 +83,7 @@ setindex!(x::AcbMatrix, y::Tuple{Rational{T}, Rational{T}}, r::Int, c::Int) wher
 setindex!(x, map(QQFieldElem, y), r, c)
 
 function one(x::AcbMatrixSpace)
-  z = x()
-  ccall((:acb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(x())
 end
 
 number_of_rows(a::AcbMatrix) = a.r
@@ -104,11 +102,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::AcbMatrix)
-  z = similar(x)
-  ccall((:acb_mat_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbMatrix}, Ref{AcbMatrix}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::AcbMatrix)= neg!(similar(x), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -725,6 +719,21 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
+function zero!(z::AcbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_zero(z::Ref{AcbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::AcbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_one(z::Ref{AcbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function neg!(z::AcbMatrix, a::AcbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_mat_neg(z::Ref{AcbMatrix}, a::Ref{AcbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
 for (s,f) in (("add!","acb_mat_add"), ("mul!","acb_mat_mul"),
               ("sub!","acb_mat_sub"))
   @eval begin
@@ -905,8 +914,7 @@ function identity_matrix(R::AcbField, n::Int)
   if n < 0
     error("dimension must not be negative")
   end
-  z = AcbMatrix(n, n)
-  ccall((:acb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbMatrix}, ), z)
+  z = one!(AcbMatrix(n, n))
   z.base_ring = R
   return z
 end
diff --git a/src/arb/acb_poly.jl b/src/arb/acb_poly.jl
index 4256e1564..0ef72e407 100644
--- a/src/arb/acb_poly.jl
+++ b/src/arb/acb_poly.jl
@@ -233,11 +233,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::AcbPolyRingElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:acb_poly_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbPolyRingElem}, Ref{AcbPolyRingElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::AcbPolyRingElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -633,7 +629,7 @@ function roots(x::AcbPolyRingElem; target=0, isolate_real=false, initial_prec=0,
             im = ccall((:acb_imag_ptr, libflint), Ptr{arb_struct},
                        (Ptr{AcbFieldElem}, ), roots + i * sizeof(acb_struct))
             if ccall((:arb_contains_zero, libflint), Bool, (Ptr{arb_struct}, ), im)
-              ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ptr{arb_struct}, ), im)
+              zero!(im)
             end
           end
         end
@@ -697,13 +693,18 @@ end
 #
 ###############################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::AcbPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:acb_poly_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbPolyRingElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::AcbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_zero(z::Ref{AcbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::AcbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_one(z::Ref{AcbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::AcbPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:acb_poly_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{AcbPolyRingElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::AcbPolyRingElemOrPtr, a::AcbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.acb_poly_neg(z::Ref{AcbPolyRingElem}, a::Ref{AcbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
diff --git a/src/arb/arb.jl b/src/arb/arb.jl
index a494dcd0a..86ee53e4f 100644
--- a/src/arb/arb.jl
+++ b/src/arb/arb.jl
@@ -625,11 +625,7 @@ Base.signbit(x::ArbFieldElem) = signbit(sign(Int, x))
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ArbFieldElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:arb_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbFieldElem}, Ref{ArbFieldElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ArbFieldElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -1931,13 +1927,18 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::ArbFieldElem)
-  ccall((:arb_zero, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbFieldElem},), z)
+function zero!(z::Union{ArbFieldElemOrPtr,Ptr{arb_struct}})
+  @ccall libflint.arb_zero(z::Ref{ArbFieldElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ArbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_one(z::Ref{ArbFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::ArbFieldElem)
-  ccall((:arb_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbFieldElem},), z)
+function neg!(z::ArbFieldElemOrPtr, a::ArbFieldElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_neg(z::Ref{ArbFieldElem}, a::Ref{ArbFieldElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
diff --git a/src/arb/arb_mat.jl b/src/arb/arb_mat.jl
index aed33f313..bc934c458 100644
--- a/src/arb/arb_mat.jl
+++ b/src/arb/arb_mat.jl
@@ -71,9 +71,7 @@ Base.@propagate_inbounds setindex!(x::ArbMatrix, y::Rational{T},
 setindex!(x, ZZRingElem(y), r, c)
 
 function one(x::ArbMatrixSpace)
-  z = x()
-  ccall((:arb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbMatrix}, ), z)
-  return z
+  return one!(x())
 end
 
 number_of_rows(a::ArbMatrix) = a.r
@@ -93,11 +91,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ArbMatrix)
-  z = similar(x)
-  ccall((:arb_mat_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbMatrix}, Ref{ArbMatrix}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ArbMatrix) = neg!(similar(x), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -692,6 +686,21 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
+function zero!(z::ArbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_zero(z::Ref{ArbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ArbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_one(z::Ref{ArbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function neg!(z::ArbMatrixOrPtr, a::ArbMatrixOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_mat_neg(z::Ref{ArbMatrix}, a::Ref{ArbMatrix})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
 for (s,f) in (("add!","arb_mat_add"), ("mul!","arb_mat_mul"),
               ("sub!","arb_mat_sub"))
   @eval begin
@@ -802,8 +811,7 @@ function identity_matrix(R::ArbField, n::Int)
   if n < 0
     error("dimension must not be negative")
   end
-  z = ArbMatrix(n, n)
-  ccall((:arb_mat_one, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbMatrix}, ), z)
+  z = one!(ArbMatrix(n, n))
   z.base_ring = R
   return z
 end
diff --git a/src/arb/arb_poly.jl b/src/arb/arb_poly.jl
index 75f0d1f8f..4f14a510b 100644
--- a/src/arb/arb_poly.jl
+++ b/src/arb/arb_poly.jl
@@ -225,11 +225,7 @@ end
 #
 ################################################################################
 
-function -(x::ArbPolyRingElem)
-  z = parent(x)()
-  ccall((:arb_poly_neg, libflint), Nothing, (Ref{ArbPolyRingElem}, Ref{ArbPolyRingElem}), z, x)
-  return z
-end
+-(x::ArbPolyRingElem) = neg!(parent(x)(), x)
 
 ################################################################################
 #
@@ -601,15 +597,18 @@ end
 #
 ###############################################################################
 
-function zero!(z::ArbPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:arb_poly_zero, libflint), Nothing,
-        (Ref{ArbPolyRingElem}, ), z)
+function zero!(z::ArbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_zero(z::Ref{ArbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
+  return z
+end
+
+function one!(z::ArbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_one(z::Ref{ArbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end
 
-function one!(z::ArbPolyRingElem)
-  ccall((:arb_poly_one, libflint), Nothing,
-        (Ref{ArbPolyRingElem}, ), z)
+function neg!(z::ArbPolyRingElemOrPtr, a::ArbPolyRingElemOrPtr)
+  @ccall libflint.arb_poly_neg(z::Ref{ArbPolyRingElem}, a::Ref{ArbPolyRingElem})::Nothing
   return z
 end