call to conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call to conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an appeal or urging someone to reflect on their moral beliefs or ethical responsibilities. Example: "The documentary served as a call to conscience, urging viewers to consider the impact of their consumption habits on the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is a call to conscience".

The New York Times

Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats, it is a call to conscience.

The New York Times

But the fuller value of Kingsolver's novel lies in its call to conscience and connection.

The New York Times - Books

It will be the call to conscience he delivers to the country that lies just 90 miles north of Cuba.

The Guardian

For anyone interested, there is also a pretty great glossary of marine life at the end, and a rousing call to conscience.

The New York Times

This "dazzling" novel, as Liesl Schillinger called it in the Book Review, ties its hero's life to a larger history and presents a "call to conscience and connection".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But his influence -- through his documentaries, interviews, books, magazine articles, and speeches, and because of the ripple effects of his calls to conscience -- has been great nonetheless.

Huffington Post

It is no coincidence that a great voice for liberation from economic injustice and intolerance against peoples and faiths is a descendant of Italians who migrated to Argentina and now offers his calls to conscience from Europe as Pope Francis, or that a great spiritual voice for liberation from communist dictatorship was a man from Poland who became Pope John Paul II.

Huffington Post

A call to national conscience, the activist documentary "The House I Live In" is persuasively urgent.

The New York Times

For many of these doctors, the work has both a tinge of personal identification and a call to social conscience.

The New York Times - Health

And "September 1, 1939," far from being a call to renewed conscience after a period of drift, is actually a call to irony and apolitical retreat, a call not to answer any call.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call to conscience" when you want to emphasize a moral or ethical imperative, especially in contexts where personal responsibility and ethical action are needed.

Common error

Avoid using "call to conscience" in casual or informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. It's a phrase best suited for serious or formal discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call to conscience" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe an appeal or urging directed at someone's moral awareness. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears in contexts related to ethics and responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call to conscience" is a grammatically correct and ethically charged appeal. While not exceedingly common, it holds significant weight in contexts requiring moral consideration, particularly in news, literature, and ethical discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for formal settings, urging careful consideration in informal contexts. When seeking alternatives, consider "moral appeal" or "ethical obligation". The phrase is best used to prompt ethical reflection and responsible action, and this is reflected by the sources where is most frequently employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral appeal

Highlights the act of pleading based on moral principles.

plea for morality

Directly asks for an increase in moral behavior or consideration.

moral imperative

Focuses on the compelling nature of the moral duty.

ethical obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature of the ethical duty.

summons to ethical conduct

More formal and direct than the original phrase.

cry for ethical standards

Suggests a desperate need for ethical behavior.

appeal to one's better nature

Focuses on the inherent goodness within a person.

invitation to moral reflection

Suggests thoughtfulness as a starting point of morality.

challenge to integrity

Poses a question about someone's honesty and moral principles.

exhortation to righteousness

More religious or formal than the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "call to conscience" in a sentence?

Use "call to conscience" when you want to strongly appeal to someone's sense of morality and ethics. For instance, "The organization's campaign is a "call to conscience", urging individuals to reconsider their environmental impact".

What phrases are similar to "call to conscience"?

Alternatives to "call to conscience" include "moral appeal", "ethical obligation", or "plea for morality". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "call of conscience" different from "call to conscience"?

"Call of conscience" and "call to conscience" are very similar, but "call to conscience" is more common when you're describing an external urging. "Call of conscience" often refers to an internal feeling or moral prompting.

When is it appropriate to use "call to conscience" in writing?

Use "call to conscience" in formal writing, speeches, or articles where you want to emphasize a serious ethical issue or motivate readers to act morally. It is most effective when addressing issues of social justice, environmental responsibility, or ethical governance.