which called for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which called for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used when referring to an action that has been requested or demanded. For example, "The President's speech which called for unity was met with a standing ovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Chalfen said 46 others received so-called shock probation, which called for weekends behind bars.

The New York Times

All of which called for another workout.

The Guardian - Travel

He was asked about the forecast for Saturday, which called for more rain.

The New York Times - Sports

Democrats fought against the budget plan passed by Republicans, which called for revamping the Medicare program.

The New York Times

The Thursday forecast, which called for severe thunderstorms and hail, added urgency, the governor said.

The New York Times

But it was not as steep as forecasts, which called for a 8.3 percent decline.

The New York Times

That approach, which called for grand jury indictments, created its own problems.

The New York Times

The group also appealed another plan, which called for quick removal of beetle-infested trees.

The New York Times

But ultimately his principles -- which called for self-determination and democratization for peoples lacking both -- failed.

The New York Times

He said that Mr. Vargas based his responses on the plans, which called for steel.

The New York Times

Make Poverty History, which called for more aid, debt cancellation and trade justice, did achieve results.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which called for", ensure that the clause preceding "which" clearly identifies the subject or action that necessitates the subsequent requirement.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when introducing nonrestrictive clauses (clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning). "Which", preceded by a comma, is correct for nonrestrictive clauses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which called for" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause, providing additional information about the noun or situation it modifies. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it serves to add detail about the actions or requirements necessitated by the preceding element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the relative clause "which called for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces nonrestrictive clauses to specify the ensuing actions or requirements related to the subject in question. It's predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific content, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to precede it with a comma and ensure that the information added is nonessential to the core meaning of the sentence. Alternatives like "that required" or "that demanded" can be used to provide similar emphasis. By considering context and register, you can effectively use "which called for" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that required

Focuses on the requirement aspect, similar to "which called for".

that demanded

Highlights a strong request or demand being made.

that necessitated

This alternative emphasizes the necessity created by the preceding clause.

that specified

Emphasizes the detailed instructions or specifications involved.

that stipulated

Implies a formal agreement or condition.

that requested

A more polite or formal way of expressing a call for something.

which advocated

Focuses on the support and promotion of a particular cause or action.

which prompted

Indicates causation leading to a specific action or outcome.

that encouraged

Emphasizes the encouragement aspect rather than a strict demand.

that invited

Suggests encouragement or enticement toward something.

FAQs

How can I use "which called for" in a sentence?

You can use "which called for" to add additional information about a noun or a situation described previously. For example, "The plan, which called for significant investment, was ultimately rejected."

What are some alternatives to "which called for"?

Alternatives include "that required", "that demanded", or "that necessitated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "that called for" instead of "which called for"?

"Which called for", preceded by a comma, is correct for nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information). "That called for" can be used for restrictive clauses (essential information), but "which" is generally preferred in formal writing when a comma precedes the clause.

How does "which called for" differ from "that called for"?

"Which called for" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional, non-essential information. A nonrestrictive clause is set off by commas. "That called for" can introduce a restrictive clause, which is essential to the meaning of the sentence and not set off by commas. However, using "which" in non-restrictive clauses is generally more acceptable in formal English.