it was called out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was called out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was announced, mentioned, or identified in a specific context. Example: "During the meeting, it was called out that the project deadline had been moved up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

When Digg first took the encryption code down from its site (because they were threatened with a lawsuit), which was posted by its community, it was called out by its core users for being soft, or for being "sell-outs".

TechCrunch

It was called out as wrong.

The New York Times

Parker took it, was called out, and objected to the call.

The New York Times - Sports

Though it was called out as a scam, it still attracted a significant number of Ether owners.

Forbes

It was called out for not adequately documenting the uses of diagnostic tools that could have been used to collect data from user devices.

TechCrunch

It was called out for not adequately documenting the uses of diagnostic tools that could have been used to collect data from user devices.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

When I pointed out that it was insulting, I was called out for being "too sensitive".

The New York Times

It's called out and overruled by the umpire.

The Guardian - Sport

She nails a serve down the middle; it's called out, but Vika challenges.

The Guardian - Sport

After it is called out, Mr. Zuckerberg or another company official vows to do better.

The New York Times

Robson goes for broke on the return, it's called out, she successfully challenges.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the calling out and what the subject of the calling out was.

Common error

Avoid using "it was call out" as this eliminates the past participle and creates a grammatically incorrect phrase. Always include the "-ed" ending on "called" to maintain correct passive voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was called out" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was specifically identified, mentioned, or challenged by someone. Ludwig confirms this by presenting several examples where the phrase is used to highlight issues or actions that were brought to attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was called out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction that emphasizes the act of identifying, mentioning, or challenging something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile enough for use in news, sports reporting, and general discussions. When writing, remember to ensure proper subject-verb agreement and use it to emphasize that something was specifically brought to attention, whether positively or negatively. While many alternative phrases exist, like "it was identified" or "it was pointed out", it’s important to choose one that precisely fits the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or pinpointing something.

it was pointed out

Emphasizes directing attention to a specific detail or issue.

it was brought to attention

Highlights the act of making something noticeable or known.

attention was drawn to it

Similar to 'brought to attention' but with a slightly more formal tone.

it was flagged

Suggests marking something as important or problematic.

it was highlighted

Emphasizes the act of emphasizing something for clarity.

it was specified

Focuses on providing detailed or precise information.

it was exposed

Implies revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

it was announced

Refers to the formal declaration of something.

it was summoned

Indicates being called or requested to appear.

FAQs

How can I use "it was called out" in a sentence?

Use "it was called out" to indicate that something was specifically mentioned, identified, or challenged. For example, "During the meeting, "it was called out" that the budget needed adjustments."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was called out"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was identified", "it was pointed out", or "it was brought to attention depending on the specific context.

Is "it was called out" the same as "it was announced"?

While both phrases involve making something known, ""it was called out"" often implies a challenge or correction, whereas "it was announced" simply means it was formally communicated.

Can "it was called out" be used in a positive context?

Yes, ""it was called out"" can be used positively if it refers to highlighting a positive achievement or quality. For example, "During the performance review, "it was called out" that her teamwork skills were exceptional."