ENGLISH
REFERENCE

call on sb

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to ask someone to speak or do something, especially in a formal situation like a classroom or meeting.

phr. v.. to formally invite or request a specific person to contribute, speak, or perform a task; often used in educational or official contexts.


SIMPLE

The teacher likes to call on students who are quiet.

CONTEXTUAL

During the press conference, the president decided to call on the reporter in the front row for a question.

COMPLEX

The chairperson will call on the lead investigator to present the findings before the committee begins its deliberation.

Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
call + on + object
Usage

the object is always a person or a group of people.

Teaching tip

distinguish this from 'call on' meaning 'to visit' (less common now) and 'call for' (to demand); focus on the classroom context where a teacher selects a student to answer.

Pitfall

The teacher called on to me.The teacher called on me.the verb is transitive and the object follows the particle directly without an extra preposition.

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