call into play

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "call into play" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to bring something into use. For example, "It was time to call into play all of the resources at our disposal to resolve the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Modern advanced ceramics, on the other hand, are often produced under exacting conditions in the laboratory and call into play the skills of the chemist, the physicist, and the engineer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Captain Tidd can call into play some 20 ships and 2,000 sailors and other personnel, not to mention helicopters, advanced surveillance equipment and weaponry aboard the platforms themselves.

The New York Times

"Italo Calvino has an essay that I think is profound," she told me, scouting a floor-length living-room bookshelf until she found Calvino's "Six Memos for the Next Millennium," a series of posthumously published lectures on the imaginative qualities that the new millennium should call into play.

The New Yorker

As Whitehead (1911, p. 61) observed a century ago, "by the aid of symbolism, we can make transitions in reasoning almost mechanically by the eye, which otherwise would call into play the higher faculties of the brain".

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The telecom company’s fortunes looked bleak last year, when fears over its £3.4 billion pension ($6.7 billion) black hole led it to call into play the “Crown Guarantee,” making the state liable for 75% of the deficit.

Forbes

Should we reconstruct the deep historical genealogy of the inspiration that underlies Chimeras and Consciousness, also taking into consideration the foreword by theologian John Cobb, we think we could call into play terms like Hylozoism, Panpsychism, and above all we should consider Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's thought.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And Tantalus calls into play practically everything that interests me.

The Guardian

Near the end of the year, Barack Obama's persuasive powers should be called into play.

The Economist

To learn and remember new things, many parts of the brain are called into play.

The New York Times - Science

Because Abstract Expressionism was expensive to move around and exhibit, millionaires and museums were called into play.

Independent

If direct negotiations were to begin, Mr. Obama's letter-writing skills might again be called into play.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call into play" when you want to emphasize bringing something specific into action, often implying a deliberate decision to use a particular skill, resource, or strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "call into play" in very casual or informal settings; simpler alternatives like "use" or "activate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call into play" functions as a verb phrase. It is used to describe the act of bringing something into action or service. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call into play" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that means to bring something into action or use. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears more frequently in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and encyclopedic sources. It is considered more formal, so its use is best reserved for professional or academic writing. When simpler language is preferable, consider alternatives such as "bring into action" or "employ". "Call into play" is effective when you specifically want to highlight the deliberate act of activating a particular resource or skill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring into action

Focuses on initiating an action or process, emphasizing the start of something.

activate

Implies making something functional or operational, highlighting the state of being active.

employ

Suggests utilizing something for a specific purpose, stressing the practical application.

put to use

Highlights the practical application of something, emphasizing its utility.

make use of

Emphasizes the act of using something that is available, highlighting resourcefulness.

implement

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect, stressing the execution of something.

trigger

Implies initiating a response or reaction, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship.

resort to

Implies using something as a last option or when other methods have failed, stressing the necessity.

set in motion

Suggests starting a series of events or processes, stressing the beginning of a chain reaction.

enlist

Suggests obtaining help or support from someone or something, highlighting collaboration.

FAQs

What does "call into play" mean?

The phrase "call into play" means to bring something into action or use, especially a skill, resource, or strategy.

How can I use "call into play" in a sentence?

You can use "call into play" to indicate that a particular resource or ability is being utilized, as in, "The situation required us to call into play our most experienced negotiators."

What are some alternatives to "call into play"?

Alternatives to "call into play" include "bring into action", "activate", or "employ", depending on the specific context.

Is "call into play" formal or informal?

"Call into play" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred, such as "use" or "make use of".