call on him

USAGE SUMMARY

"call on him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been asked to help, give an opinion, or contribute to a discussion. For example, "The teacher called on him to answer the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats call on him to rethink this position, and add this money in the Senate version.

Huffington Post

Archives|CHALLENGE COTILLO AGAIN TO GIVE PROOF; Ellis Island Employes Call on Him to Put Graft Evidence Before Authorities.

The New York Times

CHALLENGE COTILLO AGAIN TO GIVE PROOF; Ellis Island Employes Call on Him to Put Graft Evidence Before Authorities.

The New York Times

The interview followed reports, including one in the Observer, that 20 shadow ministers are ready to call on him to quit.

BBC

We call on him to apologise immediately".

The Guardian

Call on him and tell him I sent you.

The New Yorker

I went to call on him there last May.

The New Yorker

Salinger said that when the time was desperate to call on him".

The New Yorker

Mr. Breslin said the law firm's lobbyists knew not to call on him.

The New York Times

Yet will I call on him: O, spare me, Lucifer!— Where is it now?

Encyclopedia Britannica

And sadly, if a student raises his hand, who will call on him?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call on him" when you want to express the act of formally asking someone for something, whether it's assistance, an opinion, or even for them to take action. It's versatile and can be applied in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "call on him" interchangeably with phrases like "rely on him" or "depend on him". "Call on him" implies a specific request or action, while "rely on him" suggests a general dependence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call on him" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates requesting assistance, demanding action, or paying a visit to someone. Examples from Ludwig show its use in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call on him" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to indicate asking for assistance, demanding action, or paying a visit. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its neutral register allows it to fit into both formal and informal communication, as seen in numerous examples from news sources, academic papers, and general writings. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, while understanding the nuances of "call on him" helps avoid potential errors in usage. Ludwig's analysis provides a solid understanding of how to effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask him for assistance

Focuses specifically on requesting help or aid from the person.

turn to him for help

Implies seeking support or guidance in a difficult situation.

enlist his support

Focuses on gaining backing or advocacy from the person.

request his presence

Emphasizes the act of formally asking someone to be present.

appeal to him

Suggests making a formal request or plea.

solicit his opinion

Highlights seeking someone's viewpoint or advice.

invoke his authority

Highlights leveraging someone's power or position.

demand his resignation

Directly requests someone to step down from a position.

visit him

Simple way of saying the desire to go see that person.

summon him

Directly ordering someone to come.

FAQs

What does "call on him" mean?

The phrase "call on him" can mean to ask someone for something, such as help or advice, or to request that they do something. It can also mean to visit someone.

How can I use "call on him" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team may "turn to him for help" in the final round," or "I plan to "visit him" next week."

What are some alternatives to "call on him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "ask him for help", "request his presence", or ""visit him"".

When is it appropriate to use "call on him" instead of "ask him"?

"Call on him" suggests a more formal or deliberate request than simply "ask him". It's often used when the request is significant or requires a particular effort from the person being asked.