summon up

USAGE SUMMARY

"summon up" is a perfectly valid phrase to use in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of invoking or calling upon something or someone. For example, you could use the phrase "summon up the courage" to describe someone who is taking action to confront their fears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which would summon up memories of 1980.

The New Yorker

Yet poems also summon up communal life.

Princeton University

If you can summon up the inner Scottish headmistress.

Independent

The Fijian was also unable to summon up any inspiration.

The Guardian - Sport

He can barely summon up the power to care.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Try, when anxious, to summon up a goofy giggle.

The New Yorker

The details of this property summon up a Dickensian gloom".

The New York Times

For each of these, Conservatives summon up Jesuitical justifications.

The Guardian - Opinion

They cannot summon up majesty, despair or joy.

The Guardian - Sport

But Manipur must summon up the courage to open its doors.

The Economist

But rich-world governments have found it hard to summon up the political courage to act.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need more vivid expressions consider using synonyms such as "conjure up" when referring to memories.

Common error

While versatile, "summon up" can sound slightly formal. In very casual conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "remember" or "find" to keep the tone conversational.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "summon up" is a phrasal verb, typically functioning as the main verb within a clause. It describes the action of bringing forth or generating something, often an internal quality or resource, as exemplified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "summon up" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to describe the act of bringing forth or generating something, particularly internal qualities or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and enjoys frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives might be preferable in extremely casual conversations. When using "summon up", consider the effort and conscious intent involved in the action to maximize its impact. For a more vivid tone you can also consider synonyms such as "conjure up" when referring to memories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

muster up

Replaces "summon" with "muster", implying a gathering of resources or strength.

conjure up

Similar to "summon up" but often used in the context of magic or imagination.

call forth

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence or activity.

call up

A more direct and simple alternative, suggesting bringing something to mind or into action.

evoke

Focuses on bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind.

arouse

Suggests stirring up an emotion or reaction.

find within

Emphasizes locating a quality or ability internally.

generate

Highlights the creation or production of something.

tap into

Suggests accessing a source of energy or resource.

rouse

Implies awakening or bringing something to a state of activity.

FAQs

How can I use "summon up" in a sentence?

"Summon up" is a phrasal verb that means to gather or produce something, especially a quality or feeling, from within oneself. For example, "I had to summon up all my courage to speak in front of the crowd".

What can I say instead of "summon up"?

You can use alternatives like "muster up", "call forth", or "evoke" depending on the context.

Is "summon up" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "summon up" is suitable for formal writing, but consider the specific context. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for very casual writing.

What's the difference between "summon up" and "conjure up"?

"Summon up" generally refers to bringing forth something internal or requiring effort, while "conjure up" often implies bringing something into existence through imagination or magic, and therefore they are not always interchangeable.