a call to war

USAGE SUMMARY

"a call to war" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which an authority or leader is asking either citizens or other nations to fight a war. For example, "The President issued a call to war to protect the nation's interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"They're a call to war for all indigenous people," she said.

The New Yorker

In most of the female parts I play, there's no need to make a call to war!

The Guardian

Abkhaz leaders, feeling secure under the protection of Moscow, treat talk of restoring Georgian authority as a call to war.

The New York Times

By noon, loudspeakers in mosques throughout Amiriyah were broadcasting a call to war: "It is time to stand up and fight" al-Qaeda.

The Washington Post

"I told them I was proud of what they had done and that I hoped that we would get a call to war," he said.

The New York Times

It was an arrogant mistake, and a call to war to the backbenchers, who this time rallied behind Tony Banks and a Manchester M.P. by the name of Gerald Kaufman.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I don't see it as a call to wage war on rats just yet," said Angela Luis, a biologist at the University of Montana.

The New York Times - Science

Lane used similar language in his emails, writing to talk show host Dick Bott that Perry should "sound the trumpet to Evangelicals, a spiritual call to war for the Soul of America".

Huffington Post

And we are the nation that after the debacles of Vietnam and Somalia, still views itself as having a calling to wage war on terrorism worldwide.

The New York Times

The group has continued to demand Mr. Morsi's reinstatement as a precondition for any negotiations and labeled General Sisi's plea for street demonstrations as a call to "civil war".

The New York Times

But it isn't a call to go to war at all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a call to war", consider the audience and the context to ensure the tone is appropriate, as it carries significant weight.

Common error

Avoid using "a call to war" for minor disagreements or conflicts; reserve it for situations involving actual or potential armed conflict. It is inaccurate for metaphorical wars such as "a call to war against poverty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a call to war" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an act of urging or summoning to engage in armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a call to war" is a noun phrase that signifies an urging or summoning to engage in armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations involving actual or potential armed conflict. Alternatives such as "summons to arms" or "mobilization order" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. As highlighted by the analysis, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call to arms

Slightly alters the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning.

summons to arms

Emphasizes the act of summoning or gathering people for military action.

battle cry

Focuses on a rallying cry used during combat or before a conflict.

declaration of conflict

Highlights the formal announcement or initiation of hostilities.

mobilization order

Specifically refers to the official directive to prepare for war.

summons to fight

Highlights the act of urging or compelling to fight.

appeal to arms

A more formal or literary way to express a call to war.

war declaration

A more concise way of indicating the start of war.

martial proclamation

Implies an official and formal announcement related to war.

incitement to combat

Highlights the act of encouraging or provoking a war.

FAQs

What does "a call to war" mean?

The phrase "a call to war" signifies an urging or summoning to engage in armed conflict or military action. It often implies a serious and significant situation where military intervention is deemed necessary.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a call to war"?

It's appropriate to use "a call to war" when referring to a situation where there is an active or imminent threat of armed conflict, and someone is actively urging others to participate in the fighting.

What are some alternatives to "a call to war"?

You can use alternatives like "summons to arms", "battle cry", or "mobilization order" depending on the specific context.

Is "a call to war" different from "a declaration of war"?

Yes, "a call to war" is an appeal or urging to engage in conflict, while "a declaration of war" is a formal announcement by a government that a state of war exists with another entity. The former is an invitation, the latter is an official statement.