she was called

USAGE SUMMARY

"she was called" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone was given a particular name or title. Example: She was called to the front of the classroom to receive an award for her outstanding academic achievements.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Francie she was called.

The New Yorker

"She was called Saethryd".

The Guardian - Sport

Grace, she was called.

The New York Times

"Maxine, she was called.

The New York Times

She was called Misbah.

The Guardian

She was called names.

The Guardian

She was called an n-lover.

The Guardian

She was called, but she wasn't chosen".

The New York Times - Sports

She was called crazy; she seemed crazy.

The New Yorker

In court, she was called a "she-devil".

The New York Times

Gina stayed on the line until she was called away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was called", ensure the context clearly indicates who did the calling and the reason behind it. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "she was called" without a clear indication of who performed the action (i.e., who did the calling). Omitting this information can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was called" functions primarily as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase adheres to standard grammar rules and is commonly used. The verb "call" in this context can mean to give a name, summon, or designate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was called" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate that someone was given a particular name, title, or was summoned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in written English. Its passive voice construction shifts the focus to the subject and what they received, rather than the actor performing the action. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also maintains a presence in academic writing and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason behind the calling, to provide clarity to the reader. Alternative phrases such as "she was named" or "she was referred to as" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was named

Focuses specifically on the act of giving a name.

she was referred to as

Highlights the act of addressing someone with a particular name or title.

she was known as

Emphasizes the common or recognized name by which someone is identified.

she was summoned

Indicates that she was asked to come or appear, often for a specific purpose.

she was designated

Highlights that she was officially chosen or assigned to a role or purpose.

she had the name of

Emphasizes the name that someone possessed.

she was appointed

Highlights that she was selected for a position or task.

she was labeled

Focuses on a descriptive term assigned to someone, often with connotations.

people called her

Active voice construction indicating the action of others naming her.

her moniker was

Uses the word moniker, which might denote informal or nickname context.

FAQs

How is "she was called" used in a sentence?

"She was called" is used to indicate that someone was given a name, title, or summoned. For example, "She was called Samantha but he could call her Sam".

What can I say instead of "she was called"?

Alternatives include "she was named", "she was referred to as", or "she was known as", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with a similar meaning to "she was called"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the desired emphasis. "People called her..." (active) focuses on who did the calling, while "she was called..." (passive) emphasizes the name or title she received. The passive construction is appropriate when the caller is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context.

Is it correct to say "she was called by the name of"?

While grammatically correct, "she was called by the name of" can often be simplified to "she was called" for conciseness. The longer form is useful if you want to explicitly emphasize that a specific name was used.