he was called upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was called upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was requested or summoned to perform a task or duty. Example: "During the meeting, he was called upon to share his insights on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson wrote in a statement that he was "called upon to investigate allegations of criminal conduct by Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast," but added that he and the jurors "must go where the evidence leads us".

Vice

But as crises arose from time to time, he was called upon to take center stage.

The New York Times

He handed them to her like a forfeit that he was called upon to pay.

The New Yorker

Increasingly, he was called upon to mediate between Blair and Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During those years he was called upon several times to work for the provincial government.

Britannica

When he was called upon to replace Albert, Costas hadn't called basketball in nearly 20 years.

The New York Times - Sports

As the head of the ISG, he was called upon to again manipulate the data.

The Guardian

He has filled in whenever he was called upon and kept quiet whenever he was not.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately for Smith, it was when he was called upon to pass that he struggled.

The New York Times

He was "called upon repeatedly" for TDYs, he wrote, using government jargon for temporary duty, "including support of U.S. president".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The justice is about ninety years old-He was called upon to stop a Swede from beating his wife.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was called upon" to denote that someone was officially asked or required to fulfill a duty or task. Ensure that the context clearly indicates who requested their service and for what purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "he was called upon" in casual conversations or informal writing. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler phrases like "he was asked" or "he was needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was called upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received a request or summons to perform a specific duty or task. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It denotes a sense of obligation or responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was called upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates someone was requested or summoned to perform a duty or task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and academic writing. While versatile, consider using simpler alternatives like "he was asked to" in more casual settings. When using "he was called upon", ensure that the context clearly identifies who made the request and its purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was asked to

Replaces the idiom with a more direct and simple expression.

he was requested to

Emphasizes the formal nature of the request.

he was required to

Highlights the obligatory nature of the task.

he was summoned to

Implies a formal or official summons.

he was assigned to

Indicates that the task was officially assigned to him.

he was designated to

Suggests a formal designation for a specific role or task.

he was chosen to

Highlights the selection process, implying he was selected for a reason.

he was selected to

Similar to 'chosen', but might imply a more competitive selection.

he was appointed to

Suggests a formal appointment to a position or task.

he was tasked with

Focuses on the task itself, rather than the calling upon.

FAQs

What does "he was called upon" mean?

The phrase "he was called upon" means that someone was asked or requested to do something, often implying a sense of duty or responsibility. It suggests that the person's skills or expertise were needed in a particular situation.

How can I use "he was called upon" in a sentence?

You can use "he was called upon" to describe a situation where someone's assistance or expertise was required. For example, "During the crisis, "he was called upon" to lead the team".

What can I say instead of "he was called upon"?

You can use alternatives like "he was asked to", "he was requested to", or "he was summoned to" depending on the context.

Is "he was called on" the same as "he was called upon"?

While similar, "he was called upon" often implies a more formal or significant request compared to "he was called on". "He was called on" can also refer to simply being asked a question or asked to participate in a discussion, whereas "he was called upon" often involves a specific duty or task.