drew a laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drew a laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where something said or done caused people to laugh. Example: "His clever joke drew a laugh from the audience, lightening the mood of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

One more time, he drew a laugh.

The New York Times

The remark drew a laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

He said later that the line always drew a laugh.

The New York Times - Books

"She had to," he said, which drew a laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

That drew a laugh from those around him.

The New York Times - Sports

This drew a laugh from the audience, but Gonzaga knew what Marshall meant.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Oh, that," he said, drawing a laugh.

The Washington Post

"It doesn't explode," Barak said, drawing a laugh from his U.S. counterpart.

Independent

(An affectation that Leung said draws a laugh from his New York clients).

The New York Times

"No, Pat, you can't ride him now," Flint said in mock seriousness, drawing a laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

Not too long ago, that suggestion might have drawn a laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drew a laugh" to clearly indicate that a specific action or statement resulted in laughter from an audience or individual. It's effective in narratives to show immediate reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "drew a laugh" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be expected. Opt for terms like "elicited laughter" or "provoked amusement" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drew a laugh" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating that a specific action or statement caused laughter. It's a descriptive element that enriches narrative by showing audience reaction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drew a laugh" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a humorous reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad application across diverse writing styles. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase enhances narrative by depicting immediate, positive responses to actions or statements. While versatile, consider formality levels when choosing alternatives like "elicited laughter" in more formal contexts. This phrase serves as a robust tool for describing moments of amusement across various expressive forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicited laughter

Highlights the act of producing laughter.

generated laughter

Emphasizes the creation of laughter from a source.

sparked hilarity

Emphasizes a more intense and lively amusement.

provoked amusement

Suggests something caused a sense of enjoyment.

induced chuckles

Implies a quieter, more subdued form of laughter.

caused amusement

A broader term indicating something made people amused.

got a chuckle

Suggests a mild or brief expression of amusement.

met with laughter

Focuses on the reception something received.

occasioned laughter

A more formal way of saying something caused laughter.

created mirth

Implies the creation of happiness and amusement.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "drew a laugh"?

It means that something someone said or did was funny and caused people to laugh. It indicates a humorous effect resulting from a specific action or statement.

What can I say instead of "drew a laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "elicited laughter", "provoked amusement", or "generated laughter" depending on the context.

Is "drew a laugh" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "drew a laugh" may be less suitable for highly formal writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "occasioned laughter" or "induced chuckles" in such contexts.

How can I use "drew a laugh" in a sentence?

You can say, "His joke about the weather "drew a laugh" from the audience". This shows that his joke was successful in making people laugh.