he was summoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he was summoned' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used when someone has been asked or ordered to appear in a certain place. For example, "After breaking the law, he was summoned to court to face judgement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was summoned by the employees.

The New York Times

Just after midnight, he was summoned back.

The New York Times

He was summoned to KGB interrogations.

The Guardian - Film

He was summoned to Morningside Heights.

The New York Times

Before the show, he was summoned to Akers's room.

The New Yorker

He was summoned by Governor Rockefeller shortly before being fired.

The New York Times - Arts

But he was summoned to Paris possibly to face execution.

The New York Times - Books

The next time he visited, he was summoned upstairs.

The New Yorker

Instead, he was summoned to Peter's chair — and, it seems, to disaster.

The New York Times

He was summoned to a meeting with the trust's chief executive, Sue Page, to explain himself.

Independent

Once it was interrupted; he was summoned to be a witness at a trial.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was summoned" when emphasizing the formal or authoritative nature of a request or order for someone to appear. It implies a degree of obligation or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "he was summoned" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he was called" or "he was asked" when the context doesn't require formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was summoned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) received the action of being summoned. It signifies an external force or authority initiated the action. Ludwig provides several examples, affirming its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was summoned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that conveys an official or authoritative request for someone to appear. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse sources. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's more suited for news reports, historical accounts, and legal contexts than casual conversations. When a less formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "he was called" or "<a href="/s/he+was+asked". Its prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica underscores its reliability and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was called

Direct synonym, indicating a request or order to come.

he was requested to appear

More formal, emphasizing the act of appearing.

he received a summons

Focuses on the formal document received.

he was ordered to report

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the request.

he was asked to present himself

More polite and formal phrasing.

he was directed to go

Highlights the directive aspect of the summoning.

he was bid to come

Archaic and formal, suggesting a command.

an invitation was extended to him

More gentle phrasing to the command.

he was compelled to attend

Highlights the mandatory aspect of the request.

he had to appear

Simple, emphasizes the obligation.

FAQs

How to use "he was summoned" in a sentence?

Use "he was summoned" to indicate that someone has been officially called or ordered to appear. For example, "He was summoned to court as a witness".

What can I say instead of "he was summoned"?

You can use alternatives like "he was called", "he was requested to appear", or "he was ordered to report" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is summoned" instead of "he was summoned"?

While "he is summoned" is grammatically correct, it indicates a present or habitual action, unlike "he was summoned", which refers to a past event. Use "he is summoned" if someone is regularly called upon, for example, "He is summoned every week for jury duty".

What is the difference between "he was summoned" and "he was invited"?

"He was summoned" implies an official or authoritative request, whereas "he was invited" suggests a more informal and voluntary request to attend or participate in something.