calls for help

USAGE SUMMARY

"calls for help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to somebody asking for help, most commonly in emergency situations. For example: "He was in trouble, so he quickly called for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He calls for help.

The New York Times

No one answered those calls for help.

The New York Times

Walkie-talkies failed, and critical calls for help went unheard.

The New York Times

They began as calls for help, information, guidance.

The New York Times

When nobody answered his calls for help, he tried to slide onto the grass.

The New York Times

News of the revised forecast had brought calls for help from all the levee districts.

The New Yorker

"And there were no calls for help, medevacs, or gunships — none of that".

The New Yorker

Heavyset and middle-aged, he had climbed staircases and placed numerous calls for help.

The New York Times

It's assumed that the US is acting following general calls for help from Mr Condé.

Independent

In the morning, Mr. Coffy realized why no one had heard his parents' calls for help.

The New York Times

Emergency workers can no longer quickly pin down the location of certain calls for help.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emergencies or urgent situations, use "calls for help" to emphasize the immediate need for assistance. For example, "The dispatcher received numerous calls for help during the storm."

Common error

Avoid using "calls for help" in situations where the need is not urgent or critical. Instead, opt for phrases like "requests for assistance" or "inquiries" when describing general support needs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calls for help" functions primarily as a noun phrase denoting instances or requests for assistance. Ludwig examples show its use in describing emergency situations, general requests, and statistical data related to help-seeking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "calls for help" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where assistance is being requested. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. Its versatility allows it to be used in both formal and informal settings, although it typically maintains a neutral tone. Related phrases include "requests for aid" and "distress calls". When using "calls for help", ensure it accurately reflects the urgency or need for assistance in the described scenario. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent requests for assistance

Emphasizes the time-sensitive nature of the need for help.

distress calls

Refers to a formal and urgent communication indicating danger and need for help.

requests for aid

Focuses on the formal act of requesting assistance.

cries for rescue

Specifically highlights the need for immediate rescue from a dangerous situation.

cries for assistance

Implies a more urgent and emotional plea for help.

appeals for support

Highlights the act of asking for backing or assistance.

pleas for intervention

Suggests a desperate need for someone to step in and help.

SOS signals

Refers to a universal distress signal indicating the need for immediate help.

assistance requests

A more direct and business-oriented way of asking for help.

help wanted ads

Specifically refers to seeking assistance through job postings.

FAQs

How can I use "calls for help" in a sentence?

You can use "calls for help" to describe situations where people are requesting assistance, such as: "The emergency services received numerous "calls for help" during the flood."

What are some alternatives to saying "calls for help"?

Alternatives include "requests for aid", "distress calls", or "pleas for intervention", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "call for help" instead of "calls for help"?

While "call for help" can be used in a general sense as a verb phrase (e.g., "He made a call for help"), "calls for help" (plural) is typically used to refer to multiple instances of requesting assistance or the phenomenon of people asking for assistance.

What's the difference between "calls for help" and "cries for help"?

"Calls for help" generally implies a direct request for assistance. "Cries for assistance", on the other hand, suggests a more desperate, emotional, and possibly non-verbal plea.