called him over

USAGE SUMMARY

"called him over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to describe someone calling another person to come to them. For example: "The teacher called him over to the front of the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Shari called him over".

The New York Times

And Mr. Cuomo called him, over and over, to address his objections and allay his fears.

The New York Times

Fassy was lounging near the rail and I called him over to meet a brother Brooklynite.

The New Yorker

Barnum called him over and the two began talking about the demonstration, school, life and art.

The Guardian

When Mr. Kershaw called him over again, he had an arrowhead in his hand, perfect as a jewel.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mulhern remembered the time his two sons, then 5 and 7, called him over to the water.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Anyone who calls him over and done is always going to be wrong," said Aram Roston, an author who wrote a biography of Mr. Chalabi called "The Man Who Pushed America to War".

The New York Times

"I call him over," Buddy continues.

Huffington Post

Natasha calls him over, pulling him onto a chair close to her. 'Come sit" she says.

Unicef

Avoid obsessive talking, texting, or calling him over and over again, because you might actually just make him run away from you.

WikiHow

I call him over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called him over" when you want to clearly indicate that someone specifically requested another person to come closer to them, often to initiate a conversation or give instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "called him over" when the context implies a general announcement or summons to a group, not a direct, personal invitation to approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "called him over" functions as a directive, indicating that someone requested another person's presence nearby. It's an action performed to initiate contact or communication, as shown by Ludwig's examples, where individuals are summoned for conversations, instructions, or introductions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sports

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "called him over" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone summoning another person to come closer, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently used in news, sports, and business contexts. While generally neutral, more formal alternatives exist. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a direct request for someone to approach, avoiding contexts where a general announcement or summons is implied. For example, you might say, "The manager called him over to discuss the quarterly report".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invited him to come

Highlights the welcoming aspect of asking someone to join.

asked him to step over

A casual way of asking someone nearby to come closer.

beckoned him near

Suggests a silent or subtle invitation using a gesture.

signaled him to come

Emphasizes a non-verbal method of calling someone.

motioned him forward

Similar to beckoning, but can also imply directing someone in a specific direction.

summoned him forth

Implies a formal or authoritative call.

gestured for him to approach

Focuses on using hand movements to get someone's attention.

asked him to approach

A more formal and polite way of requesting someone to come closer.

hailed him over

Emphasizes calling someone's attention from a distance.

requested his presence

A formal way to indicate someone was called to be present.

FAQs

How can I use "called him over" in a sentence?

Use "called him over" to indicate that someone summoned another person to come to their location. For example, "The coach "called him over" to discuss the game plan".

What are some alternatives to "called him over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "beckoned him near", "asked him to approach", or "summoned him forth".

Is "called over to him" grammatically correct, or should I use "called him over"?

"Called him over" is the more natural and common phrasing. "Called over to him" can sound awkward. It's generally better to use ""called him over"".

What's the difference between "called him over" and "called for him"?

"Called him over" implies a direct summons for someone to come closer. "Called for him" can suggest either a summons to come closer or a general request for someone to be brought to the speaker, not necessarily implying a change in physical proximity. The choice depends on the specific intention and context.