being called on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being called on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being asked to speak or participate in a discussion or activity. Example: "During the meeting, I felt nervous about being called on to share my thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, being called on can be an opportunity to make a positive impression.

Harvard Business Review

Khan's mother, Margaret Hansen, said Khan had seemed groggy before being called on by the magistrate but not alarmingly so.

The Guardian

"I was told that I was not being called on to give advice at this stage [October 2002]," Goldsmith says.

The Guardian

And in a sign that women have arrived, they're increasingly being called on to clean up corporate scandals.

Forbes

During sessions, members may speak after being called on by the President.

Wikipedia

The fear of being called on by the teacher was paralyzing and made me act out and have panic attacks.

HuffPost

This is only one of the latest public examples of the cops being called on black people doing everyday things.

HuffPost

Now I'm being called on it".

The New York Times - Sports

"This is what we are being called on to do".

The New York Times

I fear going out, being called on to perform.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The daily visits to the courtroom without being called on a case in ten consecutive days.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being called on" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the calling and for what purpose. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "being called on" when an active voice would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The witness is being called on by the lawyer", consider "The lawyer is calling on the witness."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "being called on" is to form a passive verb phrase. It indicates that someone is receiving the action of being asked or requested. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being called on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it generally describes a situation where someone is asked, requested, or selected to participate in an action or fulfill a duty. While it maintains a generally neutral register, its specific formality can shift depending on the context and source. Because of its versatility, "being called on" appears in diverse settings from news reports to academic papers. When employing the phrase, clarity is paramount, and the active voice may, at times, present a more direct alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being asked to participate

Focuses on the action of asking for involvement in an activity or discussion.

being chosen to respond

Focuses on selection from a group to provide an answer or reaction.

being requested to speak

Emphasizes the formal nature of the request, specifically for speaking.

being given the floor

Refers specifically to being granted the opportunity to speak in a discussion or debate.

being invited to contribute

Highlights the welcoming aspect of the request to share ideas or efforts.

being selected to perform

Highlights the choice of someone to execute a specific task or show.

being summoned to appear

Suggests a more formal or authoritative call to be present.

being designated to act

Implies an official assignment or delegation of responsibility.

being appointed to serve

Emphasizes the assignment to a duty or role, often in an official capacity.

being relied upon to deliver

Stresses the dependence on someone to produce a specific result or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "being called on" in a sentence?

You can use "being called on" to describe someone who is asked to speak, participate, or perform a task. For example, "She felt nervous about "being called on" during the presentation".

What's a more formal alternative to "being called on"?

More formal alternatives include "being requested to speak", "being invited to contribute", or "being summoned to appear". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "being called on"?

While "being called on" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. For example, instead of "He was "being called on" by the teacher", you could say "The teacher called on him".

What does "being called on the carpet" mean, and is it similar to "being called on"?

"Being called on the carpet" is an idiom that means being reprimanded or summoned for a scolding. While it uses the phrase "being called on", the meaning is distinct from the general sense of "being called on" to speak or participate.