i summoned him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I summoned him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is calling or bringing another person to their presence, often in a formal or magical sense. Example: "In the midst of the meeting, I summoned him to provide his expertise on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 1563 the Unitarian king John Sigismund I summoned him to Transylvania as court physician.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It had been much the same story the previous times I had summoned him that night, and on the previous three nights.

The Guardian

I could summon him when I wanted to talk, but I never knew him in any light other than the one from his bedside lamp.

The New York Times

"He was actually quite lucky that King George I heard about him, and summoned him to court, even though there he was treated like a performing dog rather than a damaged little boy".

The Guardian - Arts

This time, "I thought they might just have summoned him for a chat," she said.

The Guardian

Mr. Rogers said that the teenager who summoned him shouted "Come on upstairs, I got something to show you," indicating to him that the teenager was the killer.

The New York Times

I sat back down on the couch and summoned him over by waving my remaining Hunk Bucks over my head.

Vice

Though she had no English I didn't doubt that had there been a policeman close to hand she'd have summoned him.

Independent

I had even lost the peace I had, the man was beating me regardless of day or night … now this lady summoned him and we sat, even my brother was there.

Global Health Action

Senate committees have summoned him to testify.

The New York Times

Then the Giants summoned him for a tryout.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i summoned him" when you want to convey a sense of formality, authority, or even a touch of the supernatural or dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "i summoned him" in everyday conversations or casual writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler phrases like "i called him" or "i asked him to come" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i summoned him" primarily functions as a narrative device, describing a past action of calling someone to one's presence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and functions to describe a specific action in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i summoned him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that communicates the action of calling someone to one's presence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s often used to convey a sense of authority or specific purpose. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where a more formal or even dramatic tone is appropriate. Its usage spans across News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science suggesting a broad applicability while remembering that simpler alternatives, like "i called him", may be more suitable for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i called him

Uses a more common and general term for calling someone.

i asked him to come

A simple and direct way of inviting someone.

i beckoned him

Suggests a silent or non-verbal way of calling someone.

i sent for him

Implies sending a messenger or request for someone to come.

i requested his presence

Formal way to ask someone to come.

i ordered him to appear

Emphasizes authority and a direct command.

i directed him to report

Suggests a professional or hierarchical context.

i had him brought to me

Focuses on the action of bringing someone, often by another person.

i required his attendance

Emphasizes the necessity of someone being present.

i told him to present himself

A formal way to ask someone to appear.

FAQs

What does "i summoned him" mean?

The phrase "i summoned him" means that I called for someone to come to my presence, often implying a sense of authority or a specific purpose for the request.

What can I say instead of "i summoned him"?

You can use alternatives like "i called him", "i asked him to come", or "i requested his presence" depending on the context.

Is "i summoned him" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "i summoned him" can be appropriate for formal writing when you want to convey a sense of authority or a specific, often important, reason for calling someone.

What's the nuance between "i summoned him" and "i asked him to come"?

While both phrases mean you wanted someone to come to your presence, "i summoned him" implies a level of authority or urgency that isn't present in the more neutral phrase, ""i asked him to come"".