could be called upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be called upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone or something that may be needed or requested to take action in a particular situation. Example: "In times of crisis, the community leaders could be called upon to provide guidance and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

If he is willing, the forensic skills of Lord Hutton himself could be called upon again.

The Guardian

Either could be called upon to help the Shokalskiy if required.

The Guardian

In addition, auditors could be called upon to discuss the risks the company was taking.

The New York Times

Palestine was, indeed, ideal to billet troops who could be called upon to reinforce the "advice and guidance" proffered to Hashemite regimes.

The New Yorker

One important string of rulings concerned whether women who were still registered as male could be called upon, like all men in Colombia, for military service.

The New Yorker

Pentagon officials have said marines could be called upon to evacuate Americans and other foreigners and provide other assistance if the crisis worsened.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Their activation could hypothetically be called upon to explain the progressive change in breathing pattern that follows the imposition of an inspiratory load, with a shift from an initially highly variable respiration to a much more steady one [ 6].

BMC Physiology

Waiting to be called upon again.

Huffington Post

(They could be called Revivals).

The New Yorker

Few could be called original.

The New York Times

Alon could be called "Anon.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be called upon" when you want to express a potential need for someone or something to provide assistance, support, or expertise in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "could be called upon" in highly informal contexts. While versatile, it carries a degree of formality that might sound unnatural in casual conversation; consider alternatives like "might be needed" or "might be asked to" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be called upon" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in indicating that someone or something may be needed or requested to take action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be called upon" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility or potential for someone or something to be asked to provide assistance or take action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "might be needed" or "may be required" exist, "could be called upon" carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for various scenarios where expressing potential need is important. Pay attention to choose alternative in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be needed

Replaces 'called upon' with a more general term for needing assistance; reduces formality.

may be required

Indicates a slightly stronger possibility of needing assistance; less personal.

might be asked to

Focuses on the act of asking rather than the expectation of needing assistance.

may be asked to

Indicates a possibility of a request for assistance; slightly more formal than "might be asked to".

might be requested to

Emphasizes the formal aspect of the request, using 'requested' instead of 'asked'.

may be summoned

Implies a more formal or urgent need for assistance, often with legal or official connotations.

might be drafted in

Suggests a temporary assignment or recruitment; more specific to team-based assistance.

may be brought in

Similar to 'drafted in' but can apply to situations outside of team or military contexts.

may be relied upon

Emphasizes the reliability and trustworthiness of the person or resource being called upon.

might be eligible

Shifts the focus to fulfilling the requirements to be considered as an alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "could be called upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be called upon" indicates a possibility or potential for someone or something to be asked to help or take action. For example, "The reserves "could be called upon" if the main team faces injuries."

What are some alternatives to "could be called upon"?

Alternatives include "might be needed", "may be required", or "might be asked to". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "could be called upon" or "might be called upon"?

Both "could be called upon" and "might be called upon" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning, expressing possibility. "Could" suggests a general possibility, while "might" can sometimes imply a slightly lower probability, but the difference is often negligible.

What is the difference between "could be called upon" and "may be called upon"?

"Could be called upon" generally indicates a potential or hypothetical situation, while "may be called upon" suggests a more immediate or probable possibility based on current circumstances. The choice depends on the degree of likelihood you want to convey.