Which is Correct: 'He Called' or 'He Was Called'? A Guide for SEOers and Content Writers

SEOers and content writers often face the challenge of choosing the correct verb form to use in their articles. This guide will clarify the difference between 'he called' and 'he was called' to help you select the most appropriate form based on your context. Understanding these nuances not only improves the grammatical correctness of your content but also enhances its readability and SEO performance.

Understanding the Grammatical Differences

The choice between 'he called' and 'he was called' depends on whether the subject is performing the action or is the recipient of the action. Here's a breakdown:

He Called

'He called' is the simple past tense of the verb 'to call.' It indicates that the subject performed the action of calling. This could answer a question such as, 'Did Jim call today?' For example:

He called.

He called him.

In both cases, the subject ('he') is the one performing the action of calling.

He Was Called

'He was called' is the past perfect using the past tense of 'to be' plus the past participle of 'to call.' It is a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject was the recipient of the action. For example:

He was called by his supervisor to come and help.

He was called Jim before he changed his name to James.

These examples show how 'he was called' is used when someone else performed the action of calling or addressing.

Regional Differences

Both sentences are grammatically correct depending on the speaker's geographical location. British English tends to use 'I am called' or 'I was called,' while American English might opt for 'I called' or 'I was called.' The choice depends on cultural norms and regional preferences.

Regional Variations

A lot of British English writers will make a change in word choice when they cross the Atlantic. However, there is no compelling reason to change the sentence structure for the sake of it. Here's how the sentences might appear in different regions:

British: He is called (He was called before).

American: He called (He was called).

Implications and Contextual Use

The choice between 'he called' and 'he was called' can significantly impact the meaning of your sentence. Here's how to determine which one to use:

He Called vs. He Was Called

'He called' is something the subject did: he called someone on the phone or made an effort to connect with someone. For example:

He called to update his employer about the work progress.

He called his best friend to share a secret.

'He was called' means someone else took the action, and it is done to the subject. For example:

His supervisor called him to help finish the project.

He was called by the police due to a neighborhood incident.

Understanding the difference between these phrases is crucial to ensure your content is clear and concise.

Conclusion

Both 'he called' and 'he was called' are correct, but they convey very different meanings. Whether you're writing for SEO or content creation, careful consideration of the context ensures your sentences are grammatically correct and communicate your intended message effectively.

SEO Best Practices

When using these phrases in your content, ensure that your sentences are semantically rich and include relevant keyword combinations. Here are some SEO best practices:

Inclusion of Keywords: Use 'he called' and 'he was called' naturally and in context to include relevant keywords for better search engine optimization.

Contextual Relevance: Ensure the content is relevant and engaging to keep visitors on your page longer, which improves your SEO rankings.

Clear Semantics: Avoid ambiguity by using 'he called' when the subject performs the action and 'he was called' when the subject is the recipient of the action.

By following these guidelines, you can improve the readability and SEO performance of your content while maintaining grammatical accuracy.