call for — publicly ask for
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
to publicly demand or request something to happen
Say it like a native
Textbook The union publicly demanded that the minister resign.
Native The union called for the minister to resign.
'Call for' is the standard verb for a public demand; 'publicly demanded that' is heavy.
Pattern: call for + noun
In use
- The students called for better facilities at their university.communication
- Many people have called for more action to protect the environment.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Protesters called for to change the law.
✓ Protesters 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'.
Common collocations
call for + action— change, an inquiry, his resignation, calm
Don't confuse it
'Call for' (publicly ask for) is about making a request or demand, not about needing something.
Related
- call for (require) — Another meaning of 'call for' is 'require'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.