that was called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was called" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that has already been mentioned: For example, "She won an award that was called the 'Best Actress Award'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Troopergate, that was called.

The New York Times

A tip that was called in last month prompted them to circle back.

The New York Times

"The money that was called for under the original plan was not infused," he said.

The New York Times

Not bad for a program that was called irrelevant by an executive not so long ago.

The New York Times

The next place we tried was a store that was called the Dime Store when we were children.

The New Yorker

On one of these islands, the French founded a colony that was called La France Antarctique (Antarctic France).

Encyclopedia Britannica

A later English version, Here beginneth a merye Jest of a man that was called Howleglas, appeared c.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Incidental Intelligence: The Ridgewood Adult School, of New Jersey, offered a course last term that was called "The Executive's Wife".

The New Yorker

(Take a look back at Frankfurt's glory days, a game that was called the Match of the Century).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Justice Scalia, that's called democracy.

The New York Times

Devices like that are called "universal computers".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was called" to clearly refer back to a specific term, name, or designation already introduced in your writing. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that was called" when first introducing a term. Instead, directly state the name or term. "That was called" is best used for subsequent references after the initial introduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was called" functions as a relative clause, specifically a reduced relative clause. It modifies a noun by providing additional information about its name or designation. Ludwig AI examples confirm this, showing its use in various contexts to refer back to previously mentioned items or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was called" functions as a relative clause used to refer back to something previously named or described, across different sources such as News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. The phrase is grammatically sound and very common in various forms of writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the register is typically neutral and the primary communicative purpose is to ensure clarity and specificity. When using this phrase, remember that it should be used for subsequent references, not for initial introductions. Consider alternatives like "which was named" or "formerly known as" for subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which was named

Replaces "called" with "named", emphasizing the act of giving a name.

that had been named

Emphasizes the past naming of something.

it was known as

Focuses on the state of being known by a particular name.

formerly known as

Indicates a previous name that has been changed.

it used to be called

Highlights a change in the name over time.

it went by the name of

Suggests a less formal or common way of referring to something.

what it was referred to as

Emphasizes the act of referring to something by a particular name.

the term for it was

Highlights the specific terminology used.

it was designated as

Implies a formal or official naming.

that was its designation

Focuses on the formal name or title.

FAQs

How can I use "that was called" in a sentence?

Use "that was called" to refer to something previously mentioned or defined. For instance, "The economic policy "that was called" 'Reaganomics' had a significant impact."

What are some alternatives to "that was called"?

You can use alternatives like "which was named", "it was known as", or "formerly known as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is called" instead of "that was called"?

Both are correct, but "that was called" refers to something in the past, while "that is called" refers to something in the present. Choose the tense that matches the context of your sentence.

What's the difference between ""that was called"" and "it was named"?

"That was called" is a more general way to refer to something already mentioned. "It was named" is more specific to the act of giving a name, often in a formal context.