# call on sb

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/call-on-sb
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- The teacher likes to call on students who are quiet.
- During the press conference, the president decided to call on the reporter in the front row for a question.
- The chairperson will call on the lead investigator to present the findings before the committee begins its deliberation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The teacher called on to me." but "The teacher called on me." — the verb is transitive and the object follows the particle directly without an extra preposition.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.