elicit

USAGE SUMMARY

'elicit' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to drawing out or provoking a particular reaction or response, usually from another person or a group of people. Example sentence: The teacher tried to elicit a response from the students by asking a thoughtful question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

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

Use "elicit" when you specifically want to emphasize the effort or skill involved in drawing out a response or information from someone. It's more formal than simply "ask" or "get".

Common error

Avoid confusing "elicit", which means to draw out, with "illicit", which means illegal or forbidden. A helpful mnemonic: "Elicit" gets a response, "illicit" breaks the law.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elicit" is a transitive verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of drawing out or provoking a response, emotion, or information from someone or something. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicit" is a transitive verb that means to draw out or provoke a response, emotion, or information. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in formal writing, news reporting, and business contexts. While related to words like "solicit" and "evoke", "elicit" specifically emphasizes the effort or skill involved in drawing out a particular response. When using "elicit", remember to distinguish it from "illicit" to avoid confusion. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively use "elicit" to convey the precise meaning they intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw out

This alternative directly focuses on the action of extracting something, similar to bringing forth information or a reaction.

educe

This term, similar to "elicit", means to draw out or develop something latent or potential.

extract

Similar to "draw out", this emphasizes the process of obtaining something, often information, with effort.

evoke

This term highlights the emotional or sensory aspect of eliciting, suggesting a response is stirred from within.

call forth

This implies summoning or bringing something into action or being.

bring about

This suggests causing something to happen or come into existence, similar to eliciting a response.

generate

This suggests creating or producing a response or outcome.

provoke

This alternative focuses on inciting or stimulating a reaction, sometimes with a negative connotation.

derive

This highlights the process of obtaining something from a source, like information from data.

obtain

This is a general term for getting something, which can include information or a response.

FAQs

How can I use "elicit" in a sentence?

You can use "elicit" to describe drawing out a response or information. For example, "The comedian's jokes failed to elicit much laughter from the audience."

What words are similar to "elicit"?

Synonyms for "elicit" include "draw out", "evoke", "provoke", and "extract". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your context.

Which is correct, "elicit" or "illicit"?

"Elicit" and "illicit" are often confused. "Elicit" means to draw out a response, while "illicit" means illegal or forbidden. The correct word depends entirely on the meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "elicit" and "solicit"?

"Elicit" means to draw out a response or information, often requiring skill or effort. "Solicit" means to ask for something, such as donations or votes. While both involve seeking something from others, "elicit" focuses on a reaction, while "solicit" focuses on a request.