a story called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a story called" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing the title of a story or narrative. Example: "I recently read a story called 'The Last Leaf' that left a lasting impression on me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He'd read a story called "The Tell-Tale Heart".

The New Yorker

CHARLES MEE -- Everybody writes a story called "First Love".

The New York Times

But he wanted to direct his students to a story called, appropriately, "Homage to Switzerland".

The New Yorker

There is a story called Brownism, though it is one waiting to be told.

The Economist

And in 2008, Larissa MacFarquhar profiled Caroline Kennedy, in a story called "Ms. Kennedy Regrets".

The New Yorker

Davis's book of stories begins, appropriately enough, with a story called "Story".

The New Yorker

That journal published the beginning of her novel as a story called "The Iron Throat".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new series begins with a story called A Girl of Ivory.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

LAST week, the sports and pop culture website Grantland published a story called "Dr.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That was a story calling out for a French angle, given the historic links to Lebanon".

The Guardian

Two months later, Nirvana has the Rolling Stone cover to itself, complete with a story calling Seattle the new Liverpool...

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “a story called” when directly introducing or referencing the name of a short story, novel, or anecdote in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the tense used when discussing the story remains consistent. Avoid abruptly shifting between present and past tense when summarizing the plot or describing characters after introducing "a story called".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a story called" functions as an appositive introducer, specifically to present the title of a narrative work. It sets up the identification of the story by its given name, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a story called" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to introduce the title of a narrative. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While highly common, varying your phrasing can enhance your writing style. Be mindful of maintaining consistent tense when discussing the story. The phrase is used across diverse sources like news media and academic publications, underscoring its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short story named

Adds "short" to specify the story type and replaces "called" with "named", maintaining a straightforward meaning.

a narrative entitled

Replaces "story" with "narrative" and "called" with "entitled", emphasizing the formal aspect of naming a story.

a tale known as

Substitutes "story" with "tale" and "called" with "known as", providing a slightly more informal feel.

a work titled

Uses "work" instead of "story" and "titled" instead of "called", suitable for referring to a broader range of creative pieces.

a fiction identified as

Substitutes "story" with "fiction" and "called" with "identified as", highlighting the imaginative nature of the narrative.

a piece referred to as

Employs "piece" instead of "story" and "referred to as" instead of "called", offering a more descriptive and less direct phrasing.

an account labeled

Replaces "story" with "account" and "called" with "labeled", suggesting a factual or report-like nature to the narrative.

a chronicle styled

Changes "story" to "chronicle" and "called" to "styled", providing a more literary and historical connotation.

a history termed

Uses "history" in place of "story" and "termed" instead of "called", which can be used when the story recounts past events.

a relation designated

Replaces "story" with "relation" and "called" with "designated", lending a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

FAQs

How do I properly use "a story called" in a sentence?

Use "a story called" to introduce the title of a narrative. For example, "I recently read "a story called 'The Last Leaf'"." Ensure that the title is correctly formatted with quotation marks or italics.

What are some alternatives to using "a story called"?

You can use alternatives like "a tale titled", "a narrative named", or "a work entitled" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a story called"?

Yes, "a story called" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for introducing the name of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage.

Can "a story called" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a story called" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, from academic papers to casual conversations. However, consider alternatives for a more sophisticated tone in formal settings.