call on — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

call on

1ask someone to speak or act 2visit briefly 3draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

Meaning 1 · most common

ask someone to speak or act

call on sb to do sth

To ask someone to answer a question, give an opinion, or do something, especially in a formal or group setting.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The teacher called on Maria to answer the question.

A: I was so nervous when the manager called on me during the meeting.
B: Did you know the answer?
A: Luckily, yes!

Common mistake

Not: The chair called on to the next speaker.

Say: The chair called on the next speaker.

'Call on someone' — no 'to' before the person.

More on “ask someone to speak or act”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my classes, the teacher often calls on students to share their opinions, which helps everyone stay focused.

Tell it apart

The teacher called on me to answer.

asked me to speak

The teacher called out my name.

said it loudly

Goes with

call on someone (to)

Practice saying this

Next meaning: visit briefly

Meaning 2

visit briefly

call on sb

To visit someone for a short time, usually without much planning or for a specific reason.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I decided to call on my grandmother after work to see how she was doing.

A: Are you busy this afternoon?
B: Not really, why?
A: I thought I might call on you for a quick chat.

Common mistake

Not: We called on to the neighbours.

Say: We called on the neighbours.

'Call on someone' — no 'to' before the person.

More on “visit briefly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I travel to my hometown, I always call on my old friends to catch up, even if it's just for a short visit.

Tell it apart

I'll call on my aunt while I'm there.

visit her briefly

I'll call on her expertise.

draw on it — different sense

Goes with

call on someone

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Next meaning: draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

Meaning 3

draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)

call on sb/sth to do sth
formal

To make use of a particular resource, quality, or skill, especially when it is needed to deal with a situation.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly written

Examples

In times of crisis, leaders must call on their experience and resilience to guide their teams.

A: How did you manage to finish the project on time?
B: I had to call on all my organisational skills to keep everything on track.

Common mistake

Not: He called on to his years of training.

Say: He called on his years of training.

'Call on' takes the object directly — no 'to'.

More on “draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When facing unexpected challenges, individuals often need to call on their creativity and adaptability to find effective solutions.

Tell it apart

She called on all her training.

drew on what she had

She called for more training.

demanded it be provided

Goes with

call on + resource

Practice saying this

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ask someone to speak or act visit briefly draw upon (resources, qualities, or skills)