ENGLISH
REFERENCE

call on sb to do sth

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to ask someone or an organization to do something, usually in a formal or public way.

phr. v.. to formally request or appeal to a person or entity to perform a specific action; often used in political or institutional contexts.


SIMPLE

The president called on the citizens to stay calm.

CONTEXTUAL

Human rights groups have called on the government to change the law immediately.

COMPLEX

The United Nations has called on all parties to the conflict to observe a permanent ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to pass.

Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
call + on + object + to + do + something
Usage

usually used in formal news reports or official statements rather than casual conversation.

Teaching tip

contrast with the literal 'call on someone' (to visit) or the classroom sense (to ask a student to answer); this version requires the infinitive 'to do' structure.

Pitfall

They called on the public for help them.They called on the public to help them.this specific meaning requires the 'to + infinitive' structure after the object.

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