as you call it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as you call it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been referred to previously either by you or by someone else. For example: "The painting is a Monet, or, as you call it, 'Starry Night.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

To me, though, this "cacophony" (as you call it) is rich with meaning, which I, after years of uncomplaining effort and reflection, am at last able to decode.

The New Yorker

Whatever be the payoff, it diminishes in its value as soon as you call it out.

Huffington Post

We're not going to abolish it, as you call it".

The New York Times

How do you maintain that original DNA, as you call it?

The New York Times

This misunderstanding, as you call it, has it created problems for you and the film?

The New York Times

"Industry," as you call it, is absolutely not to be trusted.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Gibbon said: "I was trying to throw some sunlight – the best disinfectant as you called it.

The Guardian

I think it's hard to reconcile, in once case you reach complete conclusion, and the other side, you have — you have not, and you — in fact, obviously, there's a lot there, as — as we know — as you called it a, quote, "big deal". She's one of the candidates.

The New York Times

I love the Thanksgiving, too, as you called it.

TechCrunch

The late 90s were a time when you could have launched a company selling elephant underwear but as you long as you called it an "internet business," someone would turn up with a giant bag of money and a belief that you would all be rich.

Forbes

Or as you called it, "spreading the good news".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as you call it" to acknowledge a term or phrase used by someone else, particularly when you want to subtly question or distance yourself from it. For instance, "This 'restructuring', as you call it, seems more like layoffs."

Common error

Avoid using "as you call it" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can come across as dismissive or sarcastic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "as previously mentioned" or "in your words."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as you call it" serves as a discourse marker, signaling that the speaker is referencing a term or phrase previously used by someone else. This often implies a subtle distancing or questioning of the term's validity or appropriateness, as exemplified in several Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as you call it" is a versatile phrase used to reference someone else's terminology, often with a hint of skepticism or qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate in many situations, it should be used cautiously in formal writing to avoid unintended sarcasm. Consider alternative phrases like "as you put it" or "in your words" for a more neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as you put it

Focuses on the act of expressing something rather than the label itself.

in your words

Highlights that the term comes directly from the other person's vocabulary.

to use your term

More explicitly acknowledges the other person's terminology.

as you describe it

Emphasizes the descriptive aspect of the referenced term.

the way you phrase it

Directly addresses the style and wording of the expression.

if I understand you correctly

Introduces a possibility of misunderstanding regarding the used term.

according to your definition

Draws attention to a specific, personal definition.

by your definition

Highlights that the term's meaning is subjective and personal.

in your parlance

Implies a specific jargon or way of speaking.

so to speak

Adds a touch of informality and softens the assertion.

FAQs

How can I use "as you call it" in a sentence?

Use "as you call it" to refer back to a specific term or phrase someone has used, often to introduce a degree of skepticism or detachment. For example: "This so-called 'opportunity', "as you call it", seems more like a burden."

What's a less sarcastic alternative to "as you call it"?

If you want to avoid sounding sarcastic, you can use phrases like "as you put it", "in your words", or "as you described it" to refer to someone's terminology in a neutral way.

Is it appropriate to use "as you call it" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as you call it" might be too informal or potentially sarcastic for formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "as previously stated" or "according to your definition".

What's the difference between "as you call it" and "so to speak"?

"As you call it" refers specifically to someone else's choice of words, while "so to speak" is a general qualifier to soften a statement or indicate it's not entirely precise.