summon

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "summon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to call someone to appear before you or to request their presence. For example: "The queen summoned the knight to the throne room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inc are definitely on the indie side of the equation, but here in one chord change (it's in the refrain) they summon up the ghosts of Vandross and O'Neal and all that emotional delicacy that is straight R&B's stock in trade.

The Guardian - Music

Even as pilotless drones and missiles have the potential to usher in an age of US casualty-free interventions, Obama is trying to summon Americans to take up a punitive role yet again.

The Guardian - Opinion

France's wait for another home men's champion goes on but if Stan Wawrinka can summon up one more victory, then at least the fans at Roland Garros will be able to console themselves that the winner is someone who speaks their language.

The Guardian - Sport

Skinner said the standoff over the seat was the reason why he was too tired to think up his usual heckle when Black Rod enters the chamber to summon MPs to the Lords for the Queen's speech.

The Guardian

The emphasis is on relaxing and being looked after by the incredibly friendly staff who pad quietly around, slipping fresh towels on to your sunbed if you can summon the energy to get off it for a dip in the sea, and asking you at around the same time as you ordered a beer yesterday if you would like one today.

The Guardian - Travel

With considerable effort, the historian might summon up a vague sense of irritation at the occasional use of the word "wanker", which was not recorded before the 1940s.

The Guardian - Film

That's easy to say, of course, but you can't simply summon fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On Monday, a senior member of the Afghan parliament ordered the international relations committee to summon NDS officials for a grilling over the intelligence-sharing deal.

The Guardian

That was the cue for Coleman to summon Bale, who would have marked his time on the pitch with a wonderful goal from a free-kick but for Vladimir Stojkovic's fingertip save in the closing seconds.

The Guardian - Sport

Louise Ellman, the Labour MP and chair of the transport select committee, has said she is likely to summon Network Rail executives to explain what happened, including the nature of the planning undertaken and whether enough senior staff had been at work to oversee the repairs.

The Guardian - Business

Master Jordan promises to provide Christ as well as capitalism: he will pay for a church to be built in the village at last, with a bell to summon those permitted to remain to prayer – and hurry them to work.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "summon" when you want to convey a sense of authority or formality in calling someone or something to appear. For instance, a judge might "summon" a witness, or a leader might "summon" advisors for counsel.

Common error

Avoid using "summon" in casual conversations where a simpler verb like "call" or "ask" would suffice. Overusing "summon" can make your speech sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The verb "summon" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the act of calling someone or something to appear or be present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "summon" is a versatile verb with a rich history and a variety of applications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that "summon" is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, often denoting a formal request or command. While "summon" is appropriate in many situations, it's important to be mindful of its formality and avoid using it in casual settings where simpler verbs like "call" or "ask" would be more suitable. Related phrases, such as "call forth" and "request the presence of", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call forth

Emphasizes bringing something or someone into existence or presence, often implying a deliberate or ritualistic action.

request the presence of

A more formal and direct way of asking someone to come, highlighting the act of making a request.

order to appear

Indicates a command or legal requirement for someone to be present, often in a formal setting.

convene

Specifically refers to calling people together for a meeting or assembly.

muster

Suggests gathering people together, often for a specific purpose such as a military action or a show of support.

send for

A simple and direct way of asking someone to come, often used in informal contexts.

call together

A general term for bringing people together, without necessarily implying a formal event.

command to attend

Emphasizes the authority and obligation to be present.

evoke

To call forth memories, feelings, or images.

invoke

To appeal to someone or something for help or support, often a higher power or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "summon" in a sentence?

You can use "summon" to indicate calling someone to appear, like "The manager decided to "summon" the employee for a performance review" or to evoke something intangible, such as "The music helped "summon" memories of her childhood".

What are some alternatives to the word "summon"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "call forth", "request the presence of", or "order to appear" instead of "summon".

What is the difference between "summon" and "invite"?

"Summon" implies a degree of authority or obligation, whereas "invite" suggests a friendly request. You ""summon"" someone to court, but you "invite" them to a party.

Is it appropriate to use "summon" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "summon" is generally more formal. In everyday conversation, simpler words like "call", "ask", or "get" are usually more appropriate. Using ""summon"" in a casual setting might sound overly dramatic.