a work called

USAGE SUMMARY

"a work called" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce the title of a piece of work, such as a book, film, or painting. For example: - "I just finished reading a work called 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and it's now one of my favorite books." - "The museum was exhibiting a work called 'Starry Night' by Vincent Van Gogh, which drew a large crowd." - "'The Great Gatsby' is a well-known literary work called a masterpiece by many critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A work called Lumber fills the downstairs gallery.

The Guardian

Years later he painted a work called "Prunus in Moonlight".

The New York Times - Books

Damien Hirst will contribute a work called Cornucopia, made up of 200 plastic skulls.

Independent

You don't set off fireworks without consequences in a work called "Zone of Silence".

The New York Times

I am drawn in by a work called Dead and Dying.

The Guardian - Arts

In 2007, he created a work called The Really Super Market in Middlesbrough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Johns made a work called "Flag on Orange Field"; Warhol made "Gold Marilyn Monroe".

The New Yorker

WHO is the artist whose childhood home has been faithfully re-created for a work called "Mobile Homestead"?

The New York Times

ON THE wall of the Sakima Art Museum in this bustling city is a work called the Battle of Okinawa.

The Economist

Last year Cornelia Parker hung a replica of the station's enormous clock, a work called One More Time.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Trpceski promotes Macedonian composers and frequently performs a work called Prelude and Pajduska, by the contemporary composer Zivojin Glisic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a specific piece of creative or scholarly work, use "a work called" followed by the title in quotation marks to clearly identify it for your audience. For example, "Read "Hamlet", a work called one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies".

Common error

Ensure the title following "a work called" is correctly capitalized according to title case conventions (capitalize the first word, last word, and all principal words).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a work called" functions as an appositive introducer, specifically to present the title or name of a piece of creative or scholarly output. It adds specificity by formally identifying the referenced creation, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a work called" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase that functions as an appositive introducer, specifically to identify the title of a creative or scholarly work. According to Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure you accurately capitalize the title that follows. Alternatives like "a piece titled" or "an artwork entitled" can be used for variety, but "a work called" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a piece titled

Replaces "work" with "piece", emphasizing a specific creation or composition.

a creation known as

Uses "creation" instead of "work", highlighting the act of making something.

an artwork entitled

Specifies "artwork" to refer to visual arts, with "entitled" being a more formal synonym for "called".

a composition named

Employs "composition" to suggest music or writing, and "named" as a simpler alternative.

a project labeled

Substitutes "work" with "project", indicating a planned undertaking, and "labeled" as another option.

a study designated

Uses "study" to focus on research or investigation, with "designated" as a more technical term.

a book entitled

Specifies "book", limiting to a literary work, with "entitled" being a more formal synonym for "called".

a film known as

Specifies "film", limiting to cinema, with "known as" being a more descriptive variant.

a treatise styled

Employs "treatise", indicating a formal scholarly work, and "styled" as a variant.

a paper called

Specifies "paper", limiting to an academic or research output.

FAQs

How can I use "a work called" in a sentence?

Use "a work called" to introduce the title of a specific piece of art, literature, music, or other creative output. For example, "She referenced "Ode to a Nightingale", a work called one of Keats' most celebrated poems".

What are some alternatives to "a work called"?

You can use phrases like "a piece titled", "an artwork entitled", or "a creation known as" depending on the specific type of work you're referencing.

Is it correct to say "a work that is called" instead of "a work called"?

While grammatically correct, "a work that is called" is less concise and generally sounds more awkward than the standard phrase "a work called". The latter is more common and preferred.

Can "a work called" be used for any type of creative or scholarly output?

Yes, "a work called" is versatile and can be used to refer to various forms of art, literature, music, research, and other creative endeavors. However, consider using more specific terms (e.g., "a film known as", "a study designated") when precision is needed.