arouse feelings

USAGE SUMMARY

"arouse feelings" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to talk about how something brings out or causes a particular emotion. For example, "The beautiful music of the grand piano was enough to arouse feelings of intense joy within the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If imposing blindness is a good way of bringing out the dark side of human beings for the purposes of fiction, why shouldn't cinemagoers suspect that actual loss of sight might arouse feelings not altogether benign?

The Guardian - Film

In Hegel's view, however, the purpose of music is not only to arouse feelings in us, but as in all genuine art —to enable us to enjoy a sense of reconciliation and satisfaction in what we encounter.

SEP

I'm not the first to observe that sex and real estate arouse feelings of similar intensity.

The New York Times - Books

His best pictures at once arouse feelings and leave us alone to make what we will of them.

The New Yorker

Looking back at the last 60 years of No 1s may arouse feelings of nostalgia, or you may be overwhelmed by the musty scent of bygone eras.

The Guardian - Music

"They represent the wilderness we have lost".In Europe, according to Marie-Odile Guth, former director of nature conservation at the French environment ministry, wolves arouse feelings not so much of guilt as of longing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He also aroused feelings of protectiveness".

The New York Times - Books

Those incidents aroused feelings of public indignation and anger and often resulted in accusations and counteraccusations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there's another possibility: that "touching" here means arousing feelings of gratitude or emotional warmth.

The Guardian - Music

Attending school for a week without my cell phone aroused feelings of depression.

The New Yorker

In this sense, an effective leader arouses feelings in supporters that resemble the feelings children have for their parents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arouse feelings" to describe how an external stimulus or situation generates an emotional response in someone. Be specific about the type of feelings being aroused to provide clarity and impact. For example, instead of just saying "The speech aroused feelings", specify "The speech aroused feelings of hope and determination".

Common error

Avoid using "arouse feelings" in overly abstract or vague contexts where the subject arousing the feelings isn't clear. Always ensure there is a direct link between the cause and the emotional effect. For example, don't say "Feelings were aroused" without specifying what caused them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse feelings" functions as a verb phrase, where 'arouse' is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('feelings'). Ludwig confirms this, showcasing its use in various sentences to describe the act of evoking emotions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arouse feelings" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of generating emotions. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, scientific discussions, and encyclopedic explanations. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is best employed when specifying both the cause and nature of the feelings being aroused. While the phrase is commonly found in news and media, alternative phrases like "evoke emotions" or "stir emotions" can add nuance to your writing. Avoid using "arouse feelings" in overly abstract scenarios where the cause is unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke emotions

Focuses on bringing emotions to the surface, highlighting a softer, more subtle effect.

stir emotions

Suggests a more active and possibly disruptive stirring up of feelings, implying intensity.

ignite emotions

Emphasizes the sudden and intense start of feelings, likening them to fire.

trigger emotions

Implies that something specific causes emotions as a reaction, often unexpectedly.

generate emotions

Focuses on the creation or production of feelings, often in a deliberate way.

elicit emotions

Highlights the drawing out or extraction of feelings from someone, implying response.

provoke emotions

Indicates a deliberate act of causing an emotional response, sometimes negative.

inspire emotions

Implies a higher, more positive cause for the creation of feelings, such as admiration.

foster emotions

Suggests nurturing and encouraging the growth of feelings, implying care and intent.

awaken emotions

Implies a gentle and gradual coming to life of feelings that were previously dormant.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "arouse feelings" in a sentence?

To use "arouse feelings" effectively, ensure that the subject causing the emotion is clear and the type of feeling aroused is specified. For instance, "The movie's poignant ending /s/evoked feelings/ aroused feelings of deep sadness and reflection".

What are some alternatives to "arouse feelings" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "evoke emotions", "stir emotions", or "ignite emotions" to express similar meanings.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "arouse feelings"?

"Arouse feelings" is suitable in contexts where you want to describe how something (an event, art, speech) causes an emotional response in someone. It fits well in discussions about art, politics, and personal experiences.

Is there a difference in formality between "arouse feelings" and other similar phrases?

"Arouse feelings" is generally neutral in tone. More formal alternatives might include "elicit emotions", while more informal options could be "stir up emotions".