理解短语动词 "Call on"：英语中的含义与用法

英语中短语动词丰富多彩，而**"Call on"** 是一个特别多变的用法，常常让学习者感到困惑。理解它的不同含义，以及如何正确使用 "Call on" 能显著提升你的流利度和理解力。无论你想谈论正式拜访他人、请求帮助，还是在会议中指定某人发言，"Call on" 都是更自然英语表达中必须掌握的关键短语。本指南将全面探讨**"Call on"** 的各种定义，配合清晰的例句讲解语法结构，介绍相关同义表达，并提供实用练习，助你在英语短语动词学习之路上不断巩固成果。

目录

• Call on 是什么意思？
• Call on 的结构
• 相关表达与同义词
• 练习时间！
• 结论

Call on 是什么意思？

短语动词 "Call on" 之所以令人觉得棘手，是因为它的含义会根据语境变化相当大。通常，这个短语涉及主动联系某人或某事的行为，无论是出于正式拜访、具体请求，还是要求对方做出回应或贡献。理解这些细微差别对于有效沟通以及全面听懂英语为母语者至关重要。这一短语在正式和非正式英语中都很常见。

Call on 的结构

要真正掌握如何使用 "Call on"，理解其多种含义和各自典型的语法结构十分必要。学习这些结构，有助于你准确、自信地在口语和写作中运用本短语动词。下面，我们将详细拆解**"Call on"** 的主要用法。

含义1：拜访某人（正式或短暂）

"Call on" 最常见的含义之一是拜访某人。这个用法往往带有一定的正式性，或表示此次拜访较为简短。比起 "drop by" 或 "pop in"，它显得更正式些。可以想像成外交访问或者去探望年长亲友。

• 结构：主语 + call on + 某人
  • 该结构直观明了：主动拜访者为主语，后接 "call on"，再接受访对象。
• Example 1: The new CEO plans to call on each department head individually next week to get acquainted.
  • Here, the CEO is making formal, short visits to key staff members.
• Example 2: As part of her pastoral duties, the vicar tries to call on elderly members of the congregation regularly.
  • This suggests routine, caring visits.

含义2：请求、敦促某人做事

"Call on" 另一个重要含义是正式地请求、要求某人做某事。此用法既可以是礼貌的请求，也可以是更紧急的敦促，甚至带有命令色彩，这取决于说话者的权威及语境。通常暗示被请求者有能力或责任去行动。使用 "Call on" 时，会突出请求的严肃性。

• 结构：主语 + call on + 某人 + to + 动词原形
  • 在此结构中，“某人”为被请求对象，“to + 动词”则说明请求该人完成的动作。
• Example 1: The United Nations called on all member states to observe the ceasefire immediately.
  • This is a formal and urgent request from an authoritative body.
• Example 2: After the system failure, the IT department was called on to restore services as quickly as possible.
  • This implies a demand for action due to their specific expertise.

含义3：指定某人发言或回答

在教育场合、会议或任何需指定个别人发言的场景，这一用法极为常见。老师可能会 call on 学生发言，主持人则可能 call on 委员会成员表态。

• 结构：主语 + call on + 某人（+ to + 动词原形 / for + 名词）
  • “某人”为被点名者，他们可能被“叫起来回答、发言或发表意见”。
• Example 1: The professor tends to call on students who seem disengaged to encourage participation.
  • This is a typical classroom scenario.
• Example 2: During the press conference, the spokesperson will call on reporters for their questions one by one.
  • This shows an organized way of managing contributions.

含义4：动用某种品质、技能或资源

"Call on" 也可表示动用或利用某种内在品质（如勇气或耐心）或外部资源（如储蓄、专业知识）。该含义暗指依靠现有的资源来克服挑战或达成目标。

• 结构：主语 + call on + 某物（如储备、经验、能力、知识等）
  • 此处的“某物”指代所动用的品质或资源。
• Example 1: Faced with a difficult negotiation, she had to call on all her diplomatic skills to reach an agreement.
  • She utilized her existing skills.
• Example 2: The small business had to call on its emergency fund when sales dropped unexpectedly.
  • They made use of a financial resource.

相关表达与同义词

理解同义词能扩展你的词汇量，也有助于把握不同短语动词的细微语义。以下是几个与 "call on" 各种用法意思相近的替换表达：

练习时间！

让我们用几个问题测试你对 "call on" 含义的理解。为每题选择最佳答案。

Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses "call on" to mean visiting someone? a) The committee will call on more funding.

b) My aunt decided to call on us last Sunday.

c) The teacher will call on students who raise their hands.

d) He had to call on his inner strength.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The mayor called on all citizens to conserve water." In this sentence, "called on" means: a) To visit formally.

b) To select to speak.

c) To make use of a resource.

d) To request or urge.

Correct answer: d

Question 3: When a professor says, "I will call on Maria for the next question," what does "call on" mean? a) Visit Maria.

b) Select Maria to answer.

c) Ask Maria for help.

d) Rely on Maria's notes.

Correct answer: b

Question 4: "To complete the marathon, he had to call on reserves of energy he didn't know he possessed." What does "call on" imply here? a) Formally requesting energy.

b) Visiting his reserves of energy.

c) Utilizing or drawing upon his reserves of energy.

d) Asking his energy a question.

Correct answer: c

结论

掌握像 "Call on" 这样的短语动词，是精通英语、表达更自然的重要一步。理解其多种含义——无论是拜访、请求行动或发言，还是调用某种资源——及其语法结构，都将极大提升你的沟通能力。大胆尝试使用它吧！在不同语境下不断练习，你会发现自己能够自信准确地在日常英语会话与写作中使用 "Call on"。