Cool MateCalled vs They have been summoned
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Called
Top 1,000 (very common)
They have been summoned
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Called
| Called | They have been summoned | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɔːld//🇺🇸 //kɔld// | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ hæv bɪn ˈsʌmənd//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ hæv bɪn ˈsʌmən// |
| Meaning | To communicate with someone using a phone. | They have been asked to come. |
| Example | I called my friend to discuss the party plans. | They have been summoned to appear in court next week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | called for help, called by phone, called to action, called out, called it quits | have been summoned by, have been officially summoned, have been summoned to, have been urgently summoned |
| Antonyms | ignored, neglected | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'called' as past tense of 'call' vs 'called' in direct speech., Using 'called' without a subject can cause confusion about who initiated the call. | Confusing with 'invited' which has a more casual tone., Using 'summoned' in contexts where 'called' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'called' when referring to phone communication; avoid in very formal writing. 'Called' can also be part of reported speech. | Commonly used in legal or formal contexts. It may not be appropriate in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Called vs They have been summoned
What's the difference between Called and They have been summoned?
Called: To communicate with someone using a phone. They have been summoned: They have been asked to come.
Which is more common: Called and They have been summoned?
Called is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Called: I called my friend to discuss the party plans. They have been summoned: They have been summoned to appear in court next week.
Can I use Called and They have been summoned interchangeably?
Not always. Called and They have been summoned are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.