what he called

USAGE SUMMARY

'what he called' is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain the name or term that someone used to describe something. For example, "I wasn't sure what he called it, but he was referring to the large, blue car parked outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's what he called it.

The New York Times

But obviously Ron called what he called".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Beckman cited what he called the "C.S.I".

The New York Times

" 'Yes.' " What he called my lessons began at once.

The New York Times

Then he experienced what he called "a brief death".

The New Yorker

He studied what he called Clowney's "best move".

The New York Times - Sports

Recently, Prior had experienced what he called an epiphany.

The New Yorker

Backstage, the designer explained what he called a "nonchalant" attitude.

The New York Times

He granted Mr. Haugen what he called a temporary reprieve.

The New York Times

So that was what he called them privately — Finklers".

The New Yorker

I had what he called a death gurgle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what he called" to introduce a term or phrase that might be unfamiliar to your audience, providing context and attribution.

Common error

Avoid placing quotation marks around "what he called" itself. The quotation marks should only enclose the term being referenced: "He described "what he called it" 'a game changer'".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what he called" functions as a relative clause introducing a noun phrase that represents the term or name used by a specific person. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it attributes a particular expression to someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what he called" is a versatile relative clause used to attribute a specific term or phrase to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "what he termed" or "as he put it" exist, "what he called" remains a clear and effective way to introduce someone's unique terminology. Ensure quotation marks enclose the specific term being referenced, as in "He described "what he called it" 'a game changer'". By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use the phrase "what he called" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what he termed

Replaces "called" with "termed", suggesting a more formal or specific designation.

what he referred to as

More verbose, emphasizing the act of referring to something with a particular name.

what he designated

Implies a more official or deliberate naming.

what he named

A simpler and more direct synonym, focusing on the act of giving a name.

his term for it

Focuses on the term used, rather than the act of calling.

the name he gave it

Similar to 'what he named', but phrased as a noun phrase.

as he put it

Less specific to naming, more about expressing something in a particular way.

in his words

Highlights the exact wording used, not necessarily a specific name.

the expression he used

Similar to 'in his words', but emphasizes the manner of expression.

how he described it

Broadens the scope to any form of description, not just naming.

FAQs

How do I use "what he called" in a sentence?

Use "what he called" to introduce a specific term or phrase used by someone. For example, "The economist described "what he called it" a 'market correction'". It's essential to put quotation marks around the specific term that was used.

What are some alternatives to "what he called"?

Some alternatives include "what he termed", "what he referred to as", or "what he named", which can add variety to your writing while conveying the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "that what he called" instead of "what he called"?

While grammatically possible, "that what he called" is less common and can sound awkward. Sticking with simply "what he called" is generally clearer and more concise.

What's the difference between "what he called" and "as he put it"?

"What he called" specifically refers to a name or label given to something, while "as he put it" is a broader phrase that refers to the general way someone expressed something, not necessarily a specific term.