being called upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"being called upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean that someone is being asked to do something. For example: "The President was being called upon to solve the country's economic crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I recall being called upon by a group of my leftish mates to go and march for the printers at Wapping.

Independent

Indeed, he was only persuaded to do so on being told there was no chance of London winning, and the guarantees ever being called upon!

The Economist

Neuroscience is increasingly being called upon to address issues within the humanities.

Harvard University

Mr. Furukawa is the first governor who is being called upon to make a decision.

The New York Times

Lady Thatcher, of all people, is being called upon to stop the din.

The Economist

Lately it is being called upon to function as a stereo.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet they are increasingly being called upon to help contain crises around the continent.

The Washington Post

Preservation is now being called upon to assert the value of such distinctions.

The New York Times - Arts

Much more difficult to stomach, though, is being called upon to do demonstrate "Blitz spirit".

The Guardian

Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons' second-year quarterback, is being called upon to climb that mountain.

The New York Times - Sports

The second worst thing is being called upon to speak in public.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being called upon" to emphasize that someone is receiving a request or demand, often implying a sense of duty or expectation. For example: "The expert was being called upon to provide guidance on the project."

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the recipient of the action rather than the initiator. Incorrect: "People called upon her." Correct: "She was being called upon."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being called upon" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of an action or request. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is frequently used to describe situations where someone is expected or required to do something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being called upon" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to indicate that someone is receiving a request or is expected to do something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It often implies a sense of duty or responsibility, suitable for neutral to formal contexts like news, academia, and business. When writing, focus on using the passive voice correctly and remember that the phrase highlights the recipient of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being asked to

Focuses on the act of requesting or inviting someone to do something.

being requested to

Emphasizes a formal or polite demand for action.

being tasked with

Highlights the assignment of a specific responsibility or duty.

being expected to

Indicates an anticipation or requirement for someone's performance.

being required to

Stresses a mandatory or obligatory action.

being assigned to

Focuses on the allocation of a role or duty to someone.

being chosen to

Implies selection or appointment for a specific purpose.

being appointed to

Signifies a formal designation or assignment to a position.

being relied upon

Emphasizes the dependence on someone for support or action.

having a duty to

Highlights an obligation or responsibility to act.

FAQs

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

Use "being called upon" to describe a situation where someone is asked or expected to do something. For example: "The firefighters were "being called upon" to rescue people from the burning building."

What is a good alternative to "being called upon"?

Alternatives include "being asked to", "being requested to", or "being tasked with", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "being called upon" and "being asked to"?

"Being asked to" is a general term for receiving a request. "Being called upon" often implies a stronger sense of duty, expectation, or urgency. For example, one might be "asked to" volunteer, but "called upon" to defend their country.

Is "being called on" the same as "being called upon"?

While similar, "being called on" typically refers to someone "being called on" to answer a question or perform in a specific moment, while "being called upon" usually suggests a broader responsibility or ongoing expectation.