Elicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Elicit" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to draw out a response, reaction, or information from someone. For example: "The teacher aimed to elicit thoughtful responses from her students." Alternative expressions include "draw out" and "extract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While each voice signature is unique, it's also possible to group collections of voices based on the emotions they elicit.

The Guardian

A tension of about 7kg was needed to elicit a pop, during which the bones in the knuckle separated by about half a centimetre.

The Guardian

Union membership and the freedom to withhold labour are basic rights, but as a tactic to elicit change in policy the threat of industrial action is a blunt instrument.

The Guardian

Jeanetta Riley was never going to be the kind of victim to elicit sympathy in a small, conservative town like Sandpoint.

The Guardian

A Chicago detective who led one of the most shocking acts of torture ever conducted at Guantánamo Bay was responsible for implementing a disturbingly similar, years-long regime of brutality to elicit murder confessions from minority Americans.

The Guardian

NW, London Asos does indeed wish to keep customers at bay for there is no telephone number on its website, only web forms which might – or might not – elicit a response.

The Guardian - Money

While deciding to juggle a sporting and academic career may elicit concern from worried tutors, the examples provided by Commonwealth Games-standard athletes like Belton and Treharne show that, with commitment and the right attitude, it is possible to maintain stellar quality in both.

The Guardian

The root cause of Malaysia's troubles should elicit far less pity.

The Economist

In his eyes, the poverty of the Roma should elicit sympathy from the French, but the state cannot tolerate the Roma camps' insanitary and dangerous conditions on the fringes of its cities.In 2010 the public targeting of Roma camps by Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, ran into virulent opposition from the left.

The Economist

Diplomacy, to elicit or induce co-operation from many countries, is therefore going to be vital (see "Fighting terrorism" and "The military options").That is most vital of all for the fourth requirement: intelligence.

The Economist

It is relatively easy to manipulate the game and do unnatural things in order to elicit behavioural flaws in a badly programmed bot.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional writing, pair "elicit" with abstract nouns like 'feedback', 'support', 'clarification' or 'interest' to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Common error

Do not confuse the verb "elicit" (to draw out) with the adjective "illicit" (illegal or forbidden). While they sound similar, they have entirely different meanings and grammatical functions. For example, 'The lawyer tried to "elicit" the truth' is correct, whereas 'The lawyer tried to illicit the truth' is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "elicit" functions as a transitive verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to describe the intentional act of obtaining a reaction, information or emotion from a subject. It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the comprehensive data provided by Ludwig AI, "elicit" is a robust and highly effective verb for describing the act of drawing out a response. With over 60 examples from top-tier sources like The Economist and The Guardian, its status as a cornerstone of professional and journalistic English is well-established. Writers should primarily use it in formal or neutral contexts to describe the extraction of information, emotions or reactions. The most critical takeaway is to distinguish it from its homophone "illicit", which is an adjective meaning illegal. Overall, "elicit" is a precise tool for any writer looking to articulate how a specific action or stimulus produces a human or systemic response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw out

suggests a more gradual or delicate process of obtaining a response

evoke

specifically refers to calling forth emotions, memories or mental images

extract

implies a level of effort or force used to obtain information

obtain

a broader term for getting something, though less specific about the 'drawing out' action

provoke

suggests causing a reaction that might be strong, sudden or negative

generate

focuses on the production of a result or response from a specific stimulus

solicit

implies actively asking for or requesting a response or contribution

educe

a more formal or technical term for bringing out something latent or potential

induce

suggests persuading or influencing someone to act or respond

call forth

a more metaphorical and slightly archaic way to describe triggering a reaction

FAQs

How do I use "elicit" in a sentence?

You can use "elicit" to describe getting a reaction, such as: 'The comedian's jokes failed to "elicit a laugh" from the audience'.

What is the difference between "elicit" and "evoke"?

While both mean to bring something out, "elicit" usually refers to drawing out a response from someone else, while "evoke" is often used for things that call forth memories or feelings spontaneously.

What can I say instead of "elicit"?

Depending on your context, you can use synonyms like "draw out", "extract", or "prompt".

Is "elicit" a formal word?

Yes, "elicit" is considered a neutral to formal term. It is very common in journalism, academic writing and professional correspondence, as seen in examples from "The Economist" and "The Guardian".