summon at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "summon at once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where immediate action is required, often in formal or urgent situations. Example: "The commander ordered his officers to summon at once the medical team to assist the injured soldiers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the start of the game only five minions can be summoned at once; as the game progresses this can increase to a maximum of fifty.

Wikipedia

After he summoned her by telegram ("WOUNDED. COME AT ONCE"), she took a clerical job at brigade headquarters, in Madrid.

The New Yorker

It is balanced between the momentous and the meaningless, summoning up at once the rumble of India's deep philosophical themes and a very contemporary aimlessness; its subtle perfection exists in its ending: "One had to wait for the mad event, that was all.

Los Angeles Times

Summon emergency help at once if you or someone else experiences severe headaches, seizures or loss of consciousness.

WikiHow

Wouldn't the system be more equitable if the names of those citizens who have previously performed their jury service be placed into a separate pool until everyone who has served has been summoned at least once?

Los Angeles Times

To prevent the king from dissolving it at will, Parliament passed the Triennial Act, which required Parliament to be summoned at least once every three years, and permitted the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and 12 peers to summon Parliament if the king failed to do so.

Wikipedia

After the meeting began at 7pm, it was 1am when Sir Alexander was "summoned to come at once to Stalin's rooms at the Kremlin".

BBC

He can really be an annoying opponent especially at the early parts of the game due to his ability that enables him to possibly summon lots of minions at once.

WikiHow

So important was Gregson that when Thatcher cut short her summer holiday that August to rush home and fret about the strike, he was at once summoned to No 10.

Independent

At once they summon a host of devils, which causes two of the disciples to die of terror and two to go mad, leaving only Joseph and a disciple.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a doubly durable tradition because it summons up two kinds of nostalgia at once: nostalgia for those endless summer vacations, and nostalgia for an age of unanimity — a (fictional) time when we were all listening to the same radio station and buying the same CDs.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "summon at once", ensure the context clearly indicates an urgent need for someone's presence or immediate action. This phrase is best suited for situations where time is of the essence.

Common error

Avoid using "summon at once" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality can sound out of place if the situation doesn't warrant such a serious tone. Consider using simpler alternatives like "call immediately" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "summon at once" functions as a directive, typically used to issue a command or instruction requiring immediate action or presence. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English, fitting well in contexts demanding urgency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "summon at once" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as verified by Ludwig, used to convey the urgent need for someone's immediate presence or action. While relatively uncommon, it frequently appears in news, encyclopedias and wiki contexts and maintains a formal tone. When choosing alternatives like "call immediately" or "send for immediately", consider the context and desired level of formality to ensure effective communication. Use "summon at once" when immediate action is crucial, but avoid overusing it in casual settings to prevent a mismatch in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Call immediately

Replaces "summon" with a more common verb for contacting someone, maintaining the sense of urgency.

Request urgently

Focuses on the urgent nature of the request rather than the act of summoning.

Send for immediately

Specifies sending for someone or something, implying immediate action.

Fetch without delay

Emphasizes the lack of delay in fetching someone or something.

Require forthwith

Uses a more formal term, "forthwith", to stress the immediacy of the requirement.

Order to appear immediately

Specifically orders someone to appear without delay.

Immediately beckon

Uses "beckon" to imply a silent or gestured call to someone for immediate presence.

Demand instant attendance

Highlights the demand for immediate attendance.

Direct to come instantly

Directs someone to come instantly, emphasizing the speed required.

Tell to arrive at once

A simpler way of conveying the need for immediate arrival.

FAQs

How can I use "summon at once" in a sentence?

You can use "summon at once" to indicate an urgent need for someone to come or something to be done immediately. For example, "The general ordered his aide to summon the troops at once."

What is a less formal alternative to "summon at once"?

If you need a less formal way to express the same idea, you can use phrases like "call immediately" or "send for immediately".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "summon at once"?

The phrase "summon at once" is appropriate in situations where immediate action is required, such as emergencies, military orders, or urgent requests.

Is there a difference between "summon at once" and "summon immediately"?

While both phrases convey a sense of urgency, "summon at once" tends to sound slightly more formal and direct than "summon immediately". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone.