what we called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what we called" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are discussing something that you and other people have named, such as: "The plan we created to fix the problem was what we called 'Project X.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What we called survival is your criminal.

The New Yorker

This is what we called "weather".

The New Yorker

That's what we called him.

The Guardian

"We had what we called cheesecake pictures.

The New York Times

That is what we called it then.

The New Yorker

"Desert Sisters — that's what we called each other".

The New Yorker

"Hot" was what we called it then, if you recall.

The New Yorker

"Matter of fact, I can't remember what we called it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mydell consented to what we called a fear exercise.

The Guardian

Our carpenter put what we called the "W.

The New York Times - Travel

Because the supply was so abundant... what we called 'overproducing'overproducing

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what we called" to provide context or explain terminology that may not be familiar to all readers. This helps ensure clarity and understanding, especially when discussing historical or specialized topics.

Common error

Avoid using "what we call" when referring to something that was specifically named in the past. Ensure the tense aligns with the time frame you are discussing; use "what we called" for past instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we called" functions as a relative clause introducing a term or description previously used by a specific group. Ludwig AI and the examples show it connects a past designation to a present explanation or context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what we called" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for referencing previously used terms or concepts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and indicates its frequent use in diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. When using "what we called", it's important to ensure the tense aligns with the time frame and to provide clear context for the reader. Using alternative phrases, such as "what it was formerly known as", can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate the phrase "what we called" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we used to refer to it

Highlights a past practice of referring to something in a specific way.

what it used to be known as

Indicates a past identification or designation of something.

what it was formerly known as

Focuses on the past designation of something, highlighting a change in name.

what we once identified it as

Emphasizes a past method of identifying something.

how we previously termed it

Focuses on the former phrasing used to describe something.

the previous term for it

Emphasizes the earlier terminology used for a specific item or concept.

the name we gave it back then

Highlights a specific name assigned in the past.

the erstwhile designation

Formal way to express the former name or title.

its earlier moniker

Focuses on a previous nickname or informal name.

that which we formerly styled

A more formal way to describe something previously named or styled.

FAQs

How can I use "what we called" in a sentence?

Use "what we called" to refer to a term or phrase that was used in the past. For example, "During the project, "the brainstorming phase" is "what we called" the "innovation sprint".

What are some alternatives to using "what we called"?

You can use phrases like "as we used to refer to it", "the previous term for it", or "what it was formerly known as" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "what we call" instead of "what we called"?

It depends on the context. "What we call" refers to the present, while ""what we called"" refers to the past. Use the appropriate tense based on when the naming occurred.

What's the difference between "what we called" and "what we labeled"?

"What we called" generally refers to a name or term that was commonly used, while "what we labeled" implies a more formal or deliberate act of assigning a label to something. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing common usage or a specific designation.