Meaning
visit; formally invite to speak; appeal to
Primary Function
Inviting someone to speak or visiting someone
Communicative Purpose
To politely request someone to speak or to make a formal visit
Pattern
call on
Core Structure
call on
Função primária
Inviting someone to speak or visiting someone
Propósito comunicativo
To politely request someone to speak or to make a formal visit
Situações de gatilho
Classrooms, meetings, when seeking expertise or support
Contextos
academic, professional, everyday
Padrão
call on
Estrutura central
call on
Slots de substituição
a student, a friend, my expertise
Colocados típicos
- call on a student
- call on a colleague
- call on an expert
Substituições comuns
- visit (casual)
- ask (general)
- invite (formal)
- appeal to (emotional)
Erros comuns
Using 'call on to do' without a person; correct is 'call on someone to do'
Similar / contraste
call for (demand), drop by (informal visit), summon (authoritative)
Interferências
“call on” meaning visit is formal; casual is “drop by”
Família do chunk
- call-on (noun
- brief sales visit)
Nuance
respectful request to speak or visit
Efeito pragmático
polite, sometimes authoritative (teacher)
Dica de memória
teacher called on
Nota
The pattern should be written as 'call on [someone]' and the core structure as 'call on + person'. The substitution slots should describe the types of people that can be called on, such as a student, a friend, or an expert.
Upgrade path
call on somebody’s services
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