he calls himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence fragment "he calls himself" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone refers to themselves by a particular name. For example, "Paul changed his name last year, but he calls himself Peter now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He calls himself that?

The New Yorker

He calls himself the Monobookist.

The New York Times

He calls himself "a volunteer".

The New York Times

He calls himself quite conservative.

The New York Times - Magazine

He calls himself a skier.

The New York Times

He calls himself Naren.

The Guardian

He calls himself Smokin'.

The New York Times

"Hyperactive," he calls himself.

The Guardian - Sport

He calls himself a "fiscal conservative".

The Economist

He calls himself a "compassionate redneck".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gives his views-he calls himself a "sane liberal".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he calls himself", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is being referred to and why their self-proclaimed title or identity is relevant to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "he calls himself" when a more neutral term like "he is" or "he is known as" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can imply skepticism or disbelief regarding the individual's self-identification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he calls himself" primarily functions as a declarative statement introducing a self-ascribed name, title, or identity. Ludwig shows that it’s commonly used to present how someone refers to themselves, often with an implicit nuance regarding the validity or acceptance of that self-designation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he calls himself" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an individual's self-ascribed name or title. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, although it can subtly convey the speaker's attitude toward the self-identification. When writing, it's important to consider the context and whether a more neutral or direct phrase would be more appropriate. The choice of alternative phrasing allows for nuanced communication, enhancing clarity and avoiding unintended implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he refers to himself as

Replaces "calls" with "refers", adding a slight formality.

he describes himself as

Highlights the act of self-description, often in specific terms.

he identifies as

Emphasizes self-identification, often used in discussions of identity.

he styles himself as

Suggests a deliberate and potentially affected self-presentation.

he goes by the name of

Indicates the name someone is commonly known by.

he labels himself

Suggests a more deliberate and potentially limiting act of self-definition.

he considers himself to be

Focuses on self-perception and identity.

he proclaims himself to be

Implies a bold and public declaration of identity.

he is known as

Shifts the focus to how others perceive or know him.

he announces himself as

Suggests a formal or grand introduction.

FAQs

How can I use "he calls himself" in a sentence?

You can use "he calls himself" to introduce a name or title that someone uses for themselves, often to highlight a specific aspect of their identity or role. For instance, "The artist, "he calls himself" a 'visionary', uses bold colors and abstract forms to express his unique perspective."

What's a more formal way to say "he calls himself"?

A more formal alternative to "he calls himself" is "he refers to himself as". This phrasing is suitable for academic or professional contexts where a neutral tone is preferred.

What can I say instead of "he calls himself" if I want to express doubt?

If you want to express doubt or skepticism, you could use phrases like "he claims to be" or "he presents himself as". These alternatives imply that the person's self-description may not be entirely accurate or truthful.

Is it always appropriate to use "he calls himself"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Using "he calls himself" can sometimes imply a lack of acceptance or belief in the person's self-identification. Be mindful of the context and consider whether a more neutral phrase like "he is" or "he identifies as" would be more respectful and accurate.