to be called

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be called" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has a specific name or title. For example: The new museum will be called the National Gallery of Art.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

needed to be called.

The New Yorker

One has to be called.

The New York Times

Frank liked to be called the owner.

The New York Times - Sports

No one wants to be called it.

The Guardian - Film

"He likes to be called Mr. Straub".

The New Yorker

He came to be called Lalaji.

The New Yorker

I like to be called Harby".

The Guardian

I am not to be called immediately.

The New Yorker

He preferred to be called Judge.

The New York Times

Not wanting to be called on.

The New Yorker

The police had to be called.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing personal preferences regarding names, use "to be called" to convey preferred forms of address, for example, "He likes to be called Mr. Straub".

Common error

Avoid using "to be called" when an active construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The meeting needs to be called soon", consider "We need to call the meeting soon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be called" primarily functions as part of an infinitive construction, often indicating the intended or preferred name of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in naming conventions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be called" is a grammatically sound and very common infinitive construction used to denote the intended or preferred name of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely utilized across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While its usage is generally straightforward, being mindful of passive voice implications can enhance clarity. For alternatives, consider options like "to be named" or ""to be known as"" to suit specific nuances. Ultimately, mastering the use of "to be called" enhances precision in expressing naming conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be named

Focuses specifically on the act of giving a name.

to be known as

Emphasizes the recognition and familiarity of a name.

to be referred to as

Highlights the act of referencing or alluding to something by a specific name.

to be designated

Highlights the act of officially assigning a name or title.

to be termed

Suggests the use of a specific term or label.

to be summoned

Implies an official or formal request to appear or attend.

to be addressed as

Highlights how someone is formally or respectfully called.

to be styled

Indicates a particular way of addressing or referring to someone or something.

to go by the name of

Focuses on the name that someone or something commonly uses.

to answer to

Implies responding when a particular name is used.

FAQs

How can I use "to be called" in a sentence?

You can use "to be called" to indicate the name or title something will have, as in, "The new initiative is "to be called" 'Innovation Hub'". It's often used when introducing a name or specifying a preference.

What's the difference between "to be called" and "to be known as"?

"To be called" usually introduces a name or title. "To be known as" "to be known as" describes how someone or something is generally recognized. For example, "The product is to be called 'Alpha', but it's often known as the 'Alpha Project' internally".

Which is correct, "the meeting is to be called" or "the meeting needs to be called"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "The meeting is "to be called"" is used to announce or schedule the meeting. "The meeting needs to be called" expresses a necessity to schedule the meeting.

What are some alternatives to "to be called"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "to be named", "to be referred to as", or "to be designated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.