they called themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"they called themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need a phrase to describe a group of people deciding on a name for themselves. For example: "The members of the newly-formed club thought long and hard before deciding on a name, and eventually they called themselves 'The Merry Makers'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They called themselves friends.

The New York Times - Sports

They called themselves God's Army.

The New York Times

They called themselves "Negro Americans".

Independent

(They called themselves the Inklings).

The New Yorker

And they called themselves Canada.

The New Yorker

They called themselves soulmates.

The Washington Post

They called themselves "flaggers".

The New York Times

They called themselves Rockenhaim.

The Guardian - Music

They called themselves the Rat Pack.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They call themselves Bangsamoro.

The New York Times

THEY call themselves pyjamahideen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, clarify the timeframe when the group used the name, especially if they later adopted a different identifier.

Common error

Avoid using "they called themselves" when the name was given to them by an external entity. Use alternative phrasing like "they were called" or "they became known as" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they called themselves" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of a group self-identifying by a chosen name. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, which demonstrates its common occurrence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

9%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they called themselves" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a name or label chosen by a group for self-identification. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for a wide audience. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the group's agency in selecting the name and avoid misattributing externally imposed names. Alternatives like "they referred to themselves as" or "they identified as" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they referred to themselves as

Uses 'referred to' instead of 'called', emphasizing the act of self-reference.

they identified as

Focuses on the act of self-identification.

they termed themselves

Uses a more formal word, 'termed', to indicate how they identified themselves.

they styled themselves as

Suggests a deliberate choice of identity or image.

they designated themselves as

Suggests a formal act of naming or labeling.

they went by the name of

Highlights the name or title they chose to be known by.

they dubbed themselves

Implies a self-bestowed title or nickname.

they presented themselves as

Focuses on how they portrayed themselves.

they were known as

Emphasizes how they were publicly recognized.

they considered themselves to be

Highlights their self-perception.

FAQs

How can I use "they called themselves" in a sentence?

Use "they called themselves" to indicate the name a group chose for itself. For instance, "The activists, united by their cause, they called themselves the 'Guardians of the Earth'".

What's a more formal way to say "they called themselves"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "they "referred to themselves as"" or "they "designated themselves as"".

Is it correct to use "they called themselves" when someone else gave them that name?

No, "they called themselves" implies the group chose its own name. If an external entity named them, use phrases like "they were called" or "they became known as" instead.

What's the difference between "they called themselves" and "they are called"?

"They called themselves" indicates a past action of self-naming, while "they are called" is a present-tense statement about their current name, regardless of who chose it.