conjure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conjure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of summoning or bringing something into existence, often in a magical or imaginative context. Example: "The magician was able to conjure a rabbit out of thin air, much to the delight of the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Travel

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Departures year-round For many the Falklands will always conjure up images of war, but today they are increasingly a venue for tourism.

The Guardian - Travel

But Obama made use of the historical setting to try to conjure the very same sort of shared values that brought western nations together when the iron curtain divided Europe; he announced plans to cut nuclear weapons.

The Guardian

It may conjure up a picture of standing on street corners rattling a tin, but organisations need volunteers to cover almost every specialism you can dream up – from campaigners and social media experts, to education mentors and animal lovers.

The Guardian

Fly to Innsbruck (then a 50-minute drive) The name of this collection of cottages – Little Houses on the Prairie – may conjure up a very different image of empty mid-western plains, but it reflects the rural setting and romantic interiors.

The Guardian - Travel

Strawberries, for example, may evoke a very special summer, a traditional Sunday roast may draw a familiar, cosy blanket over a wet weekend, or birthday cake may conjure a childlike wonder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chances are, when you conjure up an image of a country town, it is either a desolate main street, or a large regional centre, or the red earth of an outback town with a stray dog scratching.

The Guardian

But imagine if all of Google's data and programming ability was suddenly in the hands of a Namibian agriculturalist, a Sahelian nomad or a Senegalese fisherwoman – the maps they would conjure up would be completely different.

The Guardian

I'm as likely to recall the hardness of the benches on which we sat or the cry of the newspaper vendor with his bag of Manchester Evening News's as I am to conjure the memory of Botham's blind sixes.

The Guardian - Sport

He was responsible for creating strong images that I'm able to conjure in an instant, like the way he used to stand in front of a coffin with his mortician's makeup kit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Tehran's luxurious Grand Azadi hotel, a row of women dressed in black with red headscarves hold the lines open to bidders as the auctioneer tries to conjure up increasingly large sums with his hammer.

The Guardian

Known as "The Black Sorcerer", the defensive midfielder from the Vita Club of Kinshasa could conjure magnificent goals straight from corner kicks.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conjure" when you want to suggest a sense of magic, mystery, or imaginative creation. It is particularly effective when describing the power of art, memory, or imagination to bring something vivid into being.

Common error

While "conjure" is a versatile word, it can sound overly dramatic or fanciful in formal or technical writing. In such cases, consider more neutral alternatives like "create", "generate", or "produce".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conjure" is as a verb. It describes the action of bringing something into existence, often through magical or imaginative means, or of summoning a memory or feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conjure" is a versatile verb that means to bring something into being, often with a sense of magic or imagination, or to summon a memory or feeling. Ludwig AI identifies the term as grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While it can be used in various contexts, it's best to avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more neutral alternatives when appropriate. Related phrases include ""evoke"", "summon", and ""bring to mind"". Remember to use "conjure" when you want to suggest a sense of mystery, creation, or imaginative power, and avoid overuse in strictly formal or technical writing to maintain an appropriate tone. By understanding its nuances and related alternatives, you can effectively use the word "conjure" to add depth and imagery to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke

Focuses on bringing a feeling, memory, or image to mind.

summon

Emphasizes a formal or forceful calling forth.

invoke

Implies a request or appeal, often to a higher power or authority.

call forth

Highlights the act of bringing something into existence or awareness.

bring to mind

Directly indicates the act of causing something to be remembered or thought about.

call up

Suggests retrieving something from memory or imagination.

create

Focuses on the act of producing something new.

imagine

Emphasizes the mental act of forming a picture or idea.

evoke images of

Specifically highlights the creation of mental pictures.

produce

Stresses the action of making or manufacturing something.

FAQs

How can I use "conjure" in a sentence?

You can use "conjure" to describe bringing something to mind, like "The smell of cinnamon can "evoke" memories of the holidays", or creating something as if by magic, such as "The artist could "create" vivid images with just a few strokes of the brush".

What words can I use instead of "conjure"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "conjure" with words like "summon", ""evoke"", "invoke", ""create"", or "imagine".

Is it correct to say "conjure up"?

Yes, "conjure up" is a common phrasal verb that means to "call forth" or "bring to mind". For example, "The music "evoked" images of a peaceful forest".

What's the difference between "conjure" and "evoke"?

"Conjure" often implies a more deliberate or magical act of bringing something into existence, while ""evoke"" generally means to bring a feeling, memory, or image to mind. They are similar but "conjure" often suggests a more powerful or mysterious process.