a uncalled-for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a uncalled-for" is not correct; it should be "an uncalled-for." You can use it to describe something that is unnecessary or unwarranted. Example: "His comments were completely an uncalled-for interruption." Alternative expressions include "an unwarranted" and "an unnecessary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the book's title seems to imply that, collectively, these essays amount to an ethical breach, an uncalled-for advance onto other people's territory.

The New Yorker

It's not an uncalled-for response: a recent Oxford University study states that 47% of total U.S. employment is at risk of computerization, or "job automation by means of computer-controlled equipment". McKinsey Global Institute estimated that sophisticated algorithms could potentially negate the need for 140 million jobs worldwide.

Forbes

These sorts of ideas still strike most mainstream economists as heretical, an uncalled-for departure from a canon that states that capital — from land and lathes to computers and cyclotrons — is complementary to labor.

The New York Times

Mickelson has been accused of a nasty cheap shot, an unnecessary jibe, a trolling of the world number one, an uncalled-for dig that is unbecoming of him.

BBC

That an unsupportable assertion concerning President Bush in the first paragraph and an uncalled-for attack on "the people who guard and guide us now" in the final paragraph passed muster confirms that adult supervision continues to be in short supply at The New York Times.

The New York Times - Books

What in the world brought on such an uncalled-for comment?

The New York Times

Mr Abe has in the past month caught himself up in an uncalled-for furore by refusing to admit that the Japanese imperial army coerced Korean, Chinese and other women to work in brothels in the second world war.

The Economist

To watch Thunder-Warriors is to see Westbrook "fall down seven times, stand up eight", while the Dubs cannot own up to an uncalled for kick where the sun won't shine.

Huffington Post

Don't compliment them, refuse to be nice with them, don't be too mean as this can come across as harsh and an uncalled for attack on them.

WikiHow

It makes stirring sense for Kippenberger, a paladin of uncalled-for gestures, to identify with the disconcertingly upbeat "Amerika," so at odds with Kafka's signature tales of dread.

The New Yorker

The State Department has called Putin's order "a regrettable and uncalled-for act". The Kremlin announcement on July 30 that the U.S. must cut hundreds of diplomatic staff seemed likely to escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article 'an' before 'uncalled-for' because the word starts with a vowel sound. This applies regardless of whether you use the hyphenated form or the open compound.

Common error

A frequent mistake is choosing the article 'a' based on a misunderstanding of phonetic flow. Since 'uncalled' begins with a 'u' that sounds like /ʌ/ (a vowel sound), using 'a' creates a glottal stop that disrupts the sentence flow and is considered a primary grammatical error.

How to use

Learn how to use "a uncalled-for" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a uncalled-for" is a determiner-adjective sequence intended to modify a noun. However, in Ludwig, the indefinite article 'a' is seen as a mismatch for the initial vowel sound of the adjective. Its functional role is to attribute a quality of being unwarranted to an object or action.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of the phrase "a uncalled-for" reveals a clear grammatical error. According to Ludwig AI, the indefinite article 'a' should never precede a word starting with a vowel sound like 'uncalled'. While the sentiment is a common fixture in professional journalism and academic writing—seen in outlets such as The New York Times and The New Yorker—it is universally rendered as "an uncalled-for". Writers should prioritize phonetic flow and grammatical accuracy by opting for the correct article or using single-word synonyms like "unwarranted" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an uncalled-for

Uses the correct indefinite article for a word starting with a vowel sound

unwarranted

A more formal single-word adjective describing something without justification

unnecessary

Focuses on the lack of need for the action rather than the lack of provocation

unjustified

Suggests that there is no valid reason or proof for the behavior

gratuitous

Often used for insults or violence that are completely unearned or extra

unseemly

Focuses on social inappropriateness or poor etiquette

out of line

A common idiomatic expression for behavior that exceeds acceptable limits

unbecoming

Used when an action does not match the standard expected of someone's role

unfounded

Refers specifically to accusations or claims that have no basis in fact

unprovoked

Emphasizes that the action happened without any triggering event

FAQs

Is it correct to say "a uncalled-for"?

No, it is incorrect. Because 'uncalled-for' begins with a vowel sound, you must use "an uncalled-for" instead.

What is a more formal alternative to "a uncalled-for"?

You can use "unwarranted" or "gratuitous" to express the same idea in a more professional or academic tone.

When should I use a hyphen in "uncalled-for"?

Use the hyphenated version "uncalled-for" when it appears before the noun it modifies (e.g., "an uncalled-for remark"). If it comes after the verb, the hyphen is often omitted.

What does "uncalled-for" actually mean?

It describes something that is "unnecessary", rude or not justified by the circumstances.