call for help

USAGE SUMMARY

"call for help" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you or someone else needs assistance. For example, "I heard someone calling for help, so I ran over to see what was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or call for help.

The New York Times - Health

I call for help.

The New York Times

Should she call for help?

The New Yorker

"I'll call for help".

The New Yorker

Call for help?

The New York Times - Health

There had been a call for help.

The New York Times

And a call for help?

The New York Times

Please consider this a call for help".

The Guardian

Onlookers gather around and call for help.

The Guardian

I decided to call for help.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

— it will follow the established call-for-help pattern.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call for help" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is calling for help and what type of assistance is needed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "call for help" is widely understood, it may sound too informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "request assistance" or "seek support" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call for help" functions primarily as a verb phrase often used as a command or request. It conveys a direct appeal for assistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

36%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call for help" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to request assistance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or academic settings. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its purpose is to solicit immediate intervention or support. Understanding its function and appropriate usage helps ensure clear and effective communication in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request assistance

Formal alternative focusing on the act of asking for aid.

seek support

Emphasizes the need for emotional or practical backing.

ask for aid

Direct and simple synonym emphasizing the need for support.

solicit assistance

A more formal and less common way of asking for help.

appeal for help

Highlights the urgent or critical nature of the need.

cry for help

Emphasizes the desperation or urgency in needing assistance.

page for assistance

Relates to summoning or alerting someone for help.

radio for assistance

More specific alternative emphasizing the method of requesting.

reach out for help

Focuses on the action of contacting someone for assistance.

get assistance

Emphasizes the receiving aspect rather than the act of asking.

FAQs

How can I use "call for help" in a sentence?

You can use "call for help" in a sentence to indicate a need for assistance. For example, "If you are in danger, don't hesitate to call for help." or "The organization issued a call for help after the disaster."

What are some alternatives to "call for help"?

You can use alternatives like "request assistance", "seek support", or "ask for aid" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "call for help" in formal writing?

While "call for help" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or general contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "request assistance" or "solicit assistance".

What is the difference between "call for help" and "cry for help"?

"Call for help" is a general request for assistance, while "cry for help" implies a more desperate or urgent need for assistance, often indicating emotional distress.