VOA名师答疑2024--Call的用法

'Call'

Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Mohammad about the word "call."

Question

Dear Teacher,

Hi, my name is Mohammad.

I hope this email finds you well. First of all, I'd like to gratefully thank you because of your attempts and commitment¹.

I'm writing to ask about the word "call." I often face this word in different shapes (call, call in, call for, etc.), and I've understood that it has lots of meaning that is challenging for me.

I [would] appreciate if you let me know the differences between [the] different meaning[s] of this word.

Best regards

Answer

Thank you for writing, Mohammad. This is a very good question.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists almost 50 definitions² for the word "call". It is, as you say, a challenging word.

We cannot talk about all the meanings of "call," but we have time to look at some of the more common ones.

Note that "call" can be both a noun³ and a verb. The verb "call" is much more common and has many more meanings.

"Call" is a communication verb. We use it to talk about speaking and writing. One simple meaning might be to contact someone by phone.

I need to call my wife.

Call me back later.

We can also use "call" to ask someone to come to us. For example,

There was an accident. Call the police.

It's late. Let's call a taxi.

Very often, "call" describes someone or something. Usually, it is linked to an unpleasant description. For example,

I would not call the man bright.

It's not nice to call people stupid.

We often use "call" in the passive⁴ voice when we do not want to say or do not know who is causing the action.

The show has been called long and boring.

Some phrasal verbs also use "call," such as "call for," "call out." These are very common in news writing.

"Call for" means to plan something or demand that something happen.

The organization called for a members' meeting.

This calls for change.

"Call out" means to criticize⁵ someone or ask them to explain their actions. For example,

The man was called out for being rude.

The teacher called out the students who were late.

We also use "call" in many expressions such as call in sick, call it a day, call it quits, call into question, and call the shots. But we are out of time now. In other words, we have to call it quits.

We hope this explanation has helped you, Mohammad.

Words in This Story

challenging - adj. requiring a lot of effort

call it quits-phrase to agree to stop

1 commitment   

n.奉献，忠诚，辛劳，委托，实行，承担义务，赞助

参考例句：

• The builder had a commitment to finish the work on time.那个承建商答应过准时完工。
• He made a commitment to pay the rent on time.他保证按时付房租。

2 definitions   

定义( definition的名词复数 )； 规定； 清晰（度）； 解释

参考例句：

• Write clear definitions in order to avoid ambiguity. 释义要写清楚以免产生歧义。
• Definitions in this dictionary are printed in roman type. 这本词典里的释义是用罗马体印刷的。

3 noun   

n.名词

参考例句：

• What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
• This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。

4 passive   

adj.被动的；消极的

参考例句：

• He has a passive expression on his face.他脸上有一种漠然的表情。
• It lands the manager in a passive position.它使经理处于被动地位。

5 criticize   

vt.批评；批判，指责；评论，评价

参考例句：

• Whenever you criticize him,he always has an excuse.你批评他，他总有说头儿。
• You are free to criticize my work.你可以随意批评我的工作。