English for Students

Call On and Call At

Call On and Call At : What is the difference between these two verbal phrases?

When you call on someone, you pay them a short visit. It is also possible to say Call upon, but this is considered to be rather formal.


• The student called on the ailing principals on Wednesday afternoon.


When a teacher Calls on a student in class, she wants him to answer the question.


• I don’t understand why she has to call on me all the time.


The expression Call at is normally used in relation to a place. You usually call at some place. When you call at someplace, you visit the individual at his place – it could be the office, home, etc.


• I called at his office on my way to the airport. The expression Call at can also be used to mean Stop.


• According to the brochure, our ship will call at five ports.

COURTESY : THE HINDU - INDIA