heed the call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'heed the call' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to express an urgent need to pay attention to something and act on it. For example, "The government is urging citizens to heed the call to stay home and practice social distancing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I expect them to heed the call.

The New York Times

"Come senators, congressman, please heed the call," he rasped.

The New York Times - Arts

Does he heed the call or listen to his reluctance?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Every year they heed the call to action".

The New York Times

Their county needs them and they must heed the call.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Extra cars to heed the call of the road, extra consoles to heed the call of the hearth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Should Colao heed the calls?

The Guardian - Tech

Their disdain for Ahmadinejad wasn't enough to heed the calls for national strikes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Laurent Gbagbo must heed the calls from the international community and step down at once to prevent further bloodshed".

The Guardian

His successor, Justin Trudeau, campaigned on a promise to heed the calls and move ahead with the inquiry.

The Guardian

He asked the opposition to hold talks and demanded that people "not heed the calls of political radicals".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heed the call" when you want to emphasize the importance of responding to an urgent request, appeal, or demand. It often implies a moral or ethical obligation to act.

Common error

Avoid using "heed the call" in situations that are routine or lack a sense of urgency. This phrase carries a weight of importance and should be reserved for scenarios where decisive action is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heed the call" functions as a verb phrase, often used to express the act of paying attention to and acting upon a call, request, or demand. Ludwig AI confirms that it's generally used to emphasize the importance of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heed the call" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the importance of responding to a request or demand, often with a sense of urgency or moral obligation. As Ludwig AI explains, its frequent use in news, formal, and scientific contexts underscores its versatility. Related phrases include "answer the call" and "respond to the request". When using the phrase, ensure that the situation warrants a sense of urgency and importance, avoiding routine or trivial contexts. Overall, "heed the call" is a useful and effective way to call for action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Answer the call

Emphasizes responding actively to a summons or need.

Respond to the request

Stresses the action of reacting to what has been asked.

Pay attention to the request

Focuses specifically on the act of noticing and considering a request.

Acknowledge the appeal

Highlights recognizing and accepting a sincere request.

Listen to the plea

Emphasizes hearing and considering an emotional appeal.

Take notice of the demand

Focuses on acknowledging and considering a strong requirement.

Take heed of the warning

Emphasizes paying careful attention to a cautionary message.

Comply with the directive

Highlights obeying an official instruction.

Recognize the need

Focuses on understanding and accepting an existing requirement.

Follow the instruction

Stresses the act of adhering to a given command or guideline.

FAQs

How can I use "heed the call" in a sentence?

You can use "heed the call" to emphasize the importance of responding to a request or demand. For example, "The organization urged its members to "heed the call" for volunteers".

What is a good alternative to "heed the call"?

Alternatives to "heed the call" include "answer the call", "respond to the request", or "pay attention to the request", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it more appropriate to use "heed the call" or "ignore the call"?

The choice between "heed the call" and "ignore the call" depends entirely on whether you want to emphasize responding to or disregarding a request. "Heed the call" signifies action, while "ignore the call" signifies inaction.

What does "heed the call" imply about the nature of the request?

"Heed the call" suggests that the request is important, urgent, or morally compelling, requiring a prompt and affirmative response. It implies more than simply acknowledging a request; it implies acting upon it.