to call upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to call upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to do something or when invoking a particular quality or resource. Example: "I would like to call upon your expertise to help us solve this issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kadyrov has a large menagerie of exotic pets to call upon, as well as a huge collection of expensive cars.

The Guardian

The resources my "plugged in" self is able to call upon are easy enough to enumerate.

BBC

I need to call upon a higher power for help.

The New York Times

Hitchcock's choice to call upon Salvador Dali was inspired.

The New Yorker

They also wanted for experts to call upon.

The Economist

"Though of course you have that resource to call upon.

The New York Times

"We are here today," she said, "to call upon our faith, to call upon our spirituality, to call upon our higher selves recognizing that nothing in the world will ever change if it's not for people of faith coming together".

The New York Times

The pool of players they traditionally have to call upon is tiny.

Independent

He has no power base of his own to call upon for support.

The Economist

JR Never before have San Marino been able to call upon such high-calibre removals operatives.

The Guardian - Sport

We don't have a lot of monkey experiments to call upon here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to call upon" when you want to formally request assistance, invoke a power, or depend on a resource. It adds a layer of intentionality to your request.

Common error

Avoid using "to call upon" in overly casual contexts; opt for simpler alternatives like "ask" or "use" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to call upon" functions as an infinitive phrase that acts as a verb phrase, indicating an action of requesting, invoking, or relying on someone or something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to call upon" is a versatile infinitive phrase primarily used to express a formal request, an invocation, or reliance on a resource. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While grammatically correct and very common, it's important to consider the context to avoid overuse in casual settings. Related phrases like ""to request"" or ""to invoke"" can provide suitable alternatives. This guide offers practical advice and addresses common linguistic questions, ensuring effective and appropriate use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to request

Focuses more directly on the act of asking for something.

to invoke

Implies a formal or spiritual appeal or the bringing into effect of a law or authority.

to appeal to

Suggests a more persuasive or emotional request.

to draw on

Emphasizes utilizing resources or experiences.

to make use of

Indicates employing something for a specific purpose.

to rely on

Highlights dependence on someone or something.

to turn to

Suggests seeking help or support from someone or something in a difficult situation.

to solicit

Implies actively seeking something, often support or funds.

to summon

Indicates a formal or authoritative request to appear or be present.

to look to

Highlights depending on or hoping for assistance from someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "to call upon" in a sentence?

You can use "to call upon" when you need to formally request assistance, invoke a power or authority, or depend on a particular resource. For example, "We need to call upon our expertise to solve this issue."

What are some alternatives to "to call upon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to request", "to invoke", "to appeal to", or "to draw on".

Is it more appropriate to say "call upon" or "ask"?

While both "call upon" and "ask" can be used to request something, "call upon" is generally more formal. Use "ask" in casual settings and "call upon" in more formal or official contexts.

What does it mean to "call upon a higher power"?

To "call upon a higher power" means to seek guidance, help, or strength from a spiritual or divine entity, especially in times of need or uncertainty.