Meaning trap

call for

publicly ask for

to publicly demand or request something to happen

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

publicly ask for

to publicly demand or request something to happen

call for (require)

Another meaning of 'call for' is 'require'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

The students called for better facilities at their university.communication
Many people have called for more action to protect the environment.IELTS speaking

Pattern: call for + noun

WrongProtesters called for to change the law.

RightProtesters called for a change in the law. / ...called for the law to be changed.

'Call for + noun' or 'call for + someone + to do' — not 'call for to'.

Patterncall for + noun

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The union publicly demanded that the minister resign.

Natural The union called for the minister to resign.

'Call for' is the standard verb for a public demand; 'publicly demanded that' is heavy.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Call for' (publicly ask for) is about making a request or demand, not about needing something.

call for (require) — Another meaning of 'call for' is 'require'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.