be called upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"be called upon" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
It means to be requested or expected to do something or to assume a certain role or responsibility. Example: During the meeting, the CEO was called upon to address the concerns of the employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So will these tools need to be called upon again?

The Guardian - Business

If G4S reaches its 7,000 target, the MoD will not be called upon again.

The Guardian

If he is willing, the forensic skills of Lord Hutton himself could be called upon again.

The Guardian

Waiting to be called upon again.

Huffington Post

We will be called upon.

Cornell University

"I felt good to be called upon.

The New York Times

And who would be called upon to serve?

The New York Times

The Premiership may yet be called upon to rule.

The Guardian - Sport

I never expected to be called upon to play.

The Guardian - Opinion

We all will be called upon to do without.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, it looks like they will be called upon".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be called upon" when you want to convey a sense of formality or expectation, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "be called upon", as it can make your writing sound indirect. Consider rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the actor performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be called upon" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that someone is the recipient of an action, typically a request or expectation to perform a duty or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct phrase. Numerous examples show its application in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be called upon" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a request or expectation for someone to perform a task or assume a responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially formal and professional settings. While alternatives like "be asked to" exist, "be called upon" carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider whether an active construction might be more direct. The frequency of its usage in news, academic and business contexts makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be asked to

This alternative is more direct and less formal than "be called upon".

be requested to

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a polite request.

be required to

This alternative emphasizes a mandatory obligation or requirement.

be expected to

This alternative highlights an anticipation or expectation of action.

be tasked with

This alternative focuses on the assignment of a specific task or duty.

be assigned to

This alternative indicates a formal assignment or designation.

be designated to

This alternative emphasizes the official designation for a role or responsibility.

be chosen to

This alternative highlights the selection or appointment for a specific purpose.

be selected to

This alternative emphasizes a competitive selection process.

be summoned to

This alternative implies a formal and often urgent request or command to appear or act.

FAQs

What does "be called upon" mean?

The phrase "be called upon" means to be asked or requested to do something, especially something that requires a particular skill or responsibility.

How can I use "be called upon" in a sentence?

You can use "be called upon" to indicate that someone is being asked to perform a task or fulfill a duty. For example, "The expert may "be called upon" to provide testimony."

What can I say instead of "be called upon"?

You can use alternatives like "be asked to", "be requested to", or "be required to" depending on the specific context.

Is "be called upon" formal or informal?

"Be called upon" is generally considered to be more formal than alternatives like "be asked to", making it suitable for professional and academic writing.