was not called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not called" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something did not receive a call or was not summoned in a particular context. Example: "Despite his efforts, he was not called for an interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Independent

The New York Times

The Guardian

Huffington Post

Vice

BBC

Wikipedia

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not called.

Independent

The play was not called for Johnson.

The New York Times

(He was not called to the stand).

The New York Times

Mr. Kidd was not called to testify.

The New York Times

Goaltending was not called; North Carolina advanced.

The New York Times - Sports

(He was not called upon).

The New York Times - Sports

But she was not called.

The Guardian

McCormack was not called as a witness.

The New York Times

He was right: Mr. Namath was not called Turnpike Joe.

The New York Times

Then Kosakowski hit a ball out that was not called.

The New York Times

An ambulance was not called to the property until later.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not called" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was expected to make the call. For example, "The witness was not called to testify by the prosecution."

Common error

Avoid using "was not called" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The meeting was not called by the manager", write "The manager did not call the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not called" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something did not receive a summons, invitation, or order. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating how it's employed to express that an action (calling) was not performed upon a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not called" is a versatile phrase used in the passive voice to indicate the absence of a summons, invitation, or request. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "was not summoned" and "did not receive a call". When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct. The phrase is deemed grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. Common errors involve misinterpreting the passive voice, and the phrase has a neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not summoned

Replaces "called" with a more formal synonym, "summoned", implying a formal request or order to appear.

did not receive a call

Emphasizes the absence of a phone call, directly addressing the communication aspect.

was not asked

Emphasizes the lack of a request, suitable when referring to tasks or assistance.

was not invited

Focuses on the lack of an invitation, suitable when referring to events or gatherings.

was not alerted

Focuses on the lack of notification, suitable in contexts of warning or informing.

was not selected

Highlights the absence of selection, appropriate in contexts of choosing candidates or options.

was not appointed

Indicates the failure to be officially designated, useful in professional or administrative contexts.

was not designated

Highlights the absence of designation or labeling, implying not appointed or chosen for a specific role or purpose.

was not mobilized

Indicates a failure to be activated or put into action, appropriate in military or emergency contexts.

remained uncontacted

Highlights the state of not being contacted, implying an attempt or expectation of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "was not called" in a sentence?

You can use "was not called" to indicate that someone or something was not summoned, invited, or activated. For example, "He was listed as a potential witness, but he "was not called" to the stand".

What are some alternatives to "was not called"?

Some alternatives include "was not summoned", "was not invited", or "did not receive a call", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "wasn't called"?

Yes, "wasn't called" is the contracted form of "was not called" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. In formal writing, it is generally preferred to use the uncontracted form, "was not called".

What is the difference between "was not called" and "did not call"?

"Was not called" is in the passive voice, indicating that someone or something did not receive a call. "Did not call" is in the active voice, indicating that someone actively chose not to make a call. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the receiver or the actor of the call.