[General] call/call out/call back/call for/call off

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vil

Key Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Bulgarian
Home Country
Bulgaria
Current Location
Bulgaria
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I have come to tell you that our exam will be postponed till after tomorrow.
I have called to tell you that our exam will be postponed till after tomorrow.

One of the best pupils was told to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
One of the best pupils was called out to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
call out = summon into action or service

I was told to show my passport.
I was called out to show my passport.

Summon the doctor at once!The case is urgent.
Call in the doctor at once! The case is urgent.
call in = summon for help or consultation

Tell them to return.
Call them back.
call back = ask someone to return

Shout in case you lose your way in the thicket.
Call out, in case you lose your way in the thicket.

The situation demands quick action.
The situation calls for quick action.
call for = require, demand

The performance was stopped because of the air-raid.
The performance was called off because of the air-raid.
call off = cancel some plan or undertaking

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.
 

richuk

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I have come to tell you that our exam will be postponed till after tomorrow.
I have called to tell you that our exam will be postponed till after tomorrow.
I think they are about the same. I would say 'have called' in this situation makes you think more of a telephone call rather than a visit in my opinion.

One of the best pupils was told to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
One of the best pupils was called out to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
call out = summon into action or service
Yes I think they mean about the same. The 'told' sentence possibly seems a bit more forced as if they didn't want to recite the poem. The 'called out' sentence does not give any indication of the pupils attitude towards reciting.

I was told to show my passport.
I was called out to show my passport.
Same as above really. 'Told' possibly seems more forceful. Also I get the impression in the 'called out' sentence that the person is called out of a group of people and possibly is one of the only few to have to show their passport.

Summon the doctor at once!The case is urgent.
Call in the doctor at once! The case is urgent.
call in = summon for help or consultation
Yes I think they are the same.

Tell them to return.
Call them back.
call back = ask someone to return
Yes I think they are the same. 'Tell them' is possibly a bit more forceful/impolite.

Shout in case you lose your way in the thicket.
Call out, in case you lose your way in the thicket.
Yes I think they are the same

The situation demands quick action.
The situation calls for quick action.
call for = require, demand
Yes I think so

The performance was stopped because of the air-raid.
The performance was called off because of the air-raid.
call off = cancel some plan or undertaking
Again I think this is correct.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Please note I am not a teacher
 
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sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I have come to tell you that our exam will be postponed till the day after tomorrow.
I was (have) called to tell you that our exam will be postponed till the day after tomorrow. Till after(a preposition after preposition) means nithing

One of the best pupils was told to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
One of the best pupils was called out to recite the poem to the rest of the class.
call out = summon into action or service Ok

I was told to show my passport.
I was called out to show my passport.

Summon the doctor at once! The case is urgent.(I think ‘summon’ is not the right word.
Call in the doctor at once! The case is urgent.
call in = summon for help or consultation=to ask someone to come to help in a difficult situation

Tell them to return.
Call them back.
I will call you back after one hour.
call back = ask someone to return=to return to a place in order to see someone or collect something/to telephone someone again

Shout in case you lose your way in the thicket.
Call out, in case you lose your way in the thicket. Ok

The situation demands quick action.
The situation calls for quick action.
call for = require, demand=need

The performance was stopped because of the air-raid.(cancelled in the middle)
The performance was called off because of the air-raid.
call off = cancel some plan or undertaking=to cancel (something) that had been planned for a certain date:

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

Most of them are Ok subject to my comments in red.
 
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