Thread: call upon on

Is it a typo?

But the social supports their parents had been able to call upon on in their youth for guidance - churches, ethnic communities, patriotic activities, and a liberal arts education - have either disappeared or now appear 'plastic' and unreal.
(cit. Comprehending Cults by L. Dawson; Canadian author)

why use Upon and then On? typo?

I had to ask a coworker and she agrees that with or without 'on' is fine. Also, they would both have the same meaning.

Scott

'on' seems excessive,
thanks

Sorry for offtop but this:

their parents had been able to call upon on in their youth for guidance

makes me think that I'll never learn English well enough. 3! prepositions in a row

It's unnecessary and I suggest to omit the 'on.'

call upon
1. To order; require: I call upon you to tell the truth.
2. To make a demand or a series of demands on: Social institutions are now being called upon to provide assistance to the homeless.
source: call upon - definition of call upon by The Free Dictionary

WOAH WOAH! Nooo. "in their youth" is one unit. It's separate, and okay. The on is not okay at all, it's small and not a huge deal, but definitely a typo or something. Upon 100% includes "on", and can't have on following it. As for the three prepositions thing, English is totally that bad, but this case isn't technically three prepositions. "upon" is arguably an adverb, modifying call, and "in their youth" is a prepositional phrase that technically, could go anywhere (if it were Russian). Since its english, moving the phrase around makes certain weird phrasing and causes problems. That's actually a really nice sentence if not for the typo. Good writer.