call forth

USAGE SUMMARY

"call forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone or something being summoned or evoked, usually in response to a request or in a speech. For example, "The crowd erupted when they heard the speaker call forth their enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fantasy the clothes call forth?

The New York Times - Magazine

GREAT calamity can sometimes call forth great profundity.

The Economist

Meaning, different situations call forth different ethical codes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Higher interest rates cannot call forth more pigs or grain.

The Economist

Good rosés call forth from each of us their own.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, family life should call forth understanding and tolerance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Windy urban environment can call forth a limited frequentation of urban space.

Frontiers of Architectural Research

What was it about this case that failed to call forth Lincoln's widely touted mercy?

The New York Times

Such criticisms call forth the spectre of terrorism to condemn behaviour that is no such thing.

The Economist

Did the golden age of English poetry somehow call forth a treasury of antiwriter invective?

The New York Times - Magazine

The great number of common names they have accumulated testify to the affection they call forth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call forth" when you want to emphasize the act of actively summoning or evoking something, be it a feeling, a response, or a force. It suggests a deliberate attempt to bring something into being or into awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "call forth" when a simpler verb like "evoke" or "elicit" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or archaic. Choose the word that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "call forth" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "call" with the particle "forth" to create a unique meaning, usually indicating the act of summoning or evoking something. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "call forth" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to summon, evoke, or bring something into being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for written English and appears most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While versatile, remember that simpler alternatives like "evoke" or "elicit" may be more appropriate depending on the desired tone. When using "call forth", ensure you emphasize the active summoning or deliberate eliciting of a response, feeling, or force. The phrase is considered neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke

This emphasizes bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind.

elicit

This highlights drawing out a response, answer, or fact from someone.

summon

This suggests formally ordering someone or something to be present.

invoke

This implies appealing to someone or something for help or support.

arouse

This focuses on stimulating or exciting a feeling or response.

generate

This emphasizes creating or producing something.

provoke

This suggests deliberately inciting a reaction or emotion.

trigger

This highlights initiating a process or event.

instigate

This implies starting or causing something, often with negative connotations.

draw out

This focuses on extracting or revealing something that is hidden or reluctant to appear.

FAQs

How can I use "call forth" in a sentence?

You can use "call forth" to describe the act of summoning or evoking something. For example, "The leader's speech aimed to "call forth" a sense of unity among the people".

What are some alternatives to "call forth"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "evoke", "elicit", or "summon" instead of "call forth".

Is it appropriate to use "call forth" in formal writing?

Yes, "call forth" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a deliberate and often powerful act of summoning or evoking. However, ensure it fits the overall tone and context of your piece.

What's the difference between "call forth" and "bring about"?

"Call forth" emphasizes the act of summoning or evoking, while "bring about" focuses on causing something to happen. "Call forth" often implies a response or emotion, while "bring about" is more general.