elicit a feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicit a feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how something, such as a piece of art, music, or literature, can provoke an emotional response in someone. Example: "The film's powerful imagery and soundtrack work together to elicit a feeling of nostalgia in the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

These exercisers might learn techniques to elicit a feeling that makes working out positively addictive.

The New York Times - Health

The ideal, of course, is a piece in which the artistic qualities in dance, those would be shape, tempo, rhythm, attack, etc.—are such as to elicit a feeling that you recognize as being on the side of justice.

The New Yorker

The long, brooding aria "He was despised" is for them a stark reminder of the work's length – three hours without cuts – and the plodding da capo can elicit a feeling perhaps a little too close to the anguished subject matter.

The Guardian - Music

Yet, at the same time, the movie is surprisingly, blandly uninflected, devoid of anything off center or disproportionate — or even incisively angled or hysterically restrained — that would elicit a feeling of synaptic leaps, of subjectivity made physical.

The New Yorker

The ideal, of course, is a piece in which the artistic qualities — in dance, those would be shape, tempo, rhythm, attack, etc. — are such as to elicit a feeling that you recognize as being on the side of justice.

The New Yorker

KRISTIN: I capture and share moments in the ocean, in the hopes that my images will trigger something, spark an interest, elicit a feeling that causes empathy.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Second, two additional studies tested the underlying mechanism and showed that darkness elicits a feeling of being free from constraints and triggers a risky, explorative processing style.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

"We did a lot of listening," Mr. Metzger says, which elicited "a feeling that this is a unique place with something more there — a depth, a richness, an authenticity — that we frankly felt hadn't been told in previous communications".

The New York Times

It used to be the icecaps, the deserts, the volcanoes and glaciers that gave us a sense of how small and limited we were and elicited a feeling in which fear and respect coagulated into a strangely pleasing sense of humility, a feeling which the philosophers of the 18th century famously named the sublime.

The Guardian - Books

This is a prevalent theme in the artwork in this show, with several artists depicting or using ripe fruit (Julie Heffernan, Maria Tomasula), flowers in bloom or about to wilt (Yoshihiro Suda) as well as foodstuff of all kinds (Robert Gober, Franco Mondini-Ruiz, Emily Eveleth).Though simple and poetic, the work of these artists often elicits a feeling of melancholy.

The New York Times

However, I was surprised to find this research that proved dim lighting can improve creative performance.... darkness elicits a feeling of being free from constraints and triggers a risky, explorative processing style.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elicit a feeling" when you want to emphasize the power of something to bring forth a specific emotional response. This phrase works well when describing art, experiences, or interactions designed to touch people emotionally.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "elicit a feeling" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "evoke an emotion" in academic or business writing. Consider your audience and the desired tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit a feeling" functions as a verb phrase where 'elicit' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object. The phrase describes the action of something causing or drawing out an emotion. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicit a feeling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the action of provoking an emotional response. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across diverse domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, as more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. Consider it is an option to use alternatives that have slightly different nuances such as "evoke an emotion", depending on the specific emotional intensity you want to suggest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke an emotion

Changes the verb to "evoke" and uses "emotion" instead of "feeling", suggesting a more intense response.

arouse a sentiment

Replaces "elicit" with "arouse" and "feeling" with "sentiment", offering a slightly more formal tone.

generate a sensation

Substitutes "elicit" with "generate" and "feeling" with "sensation", focusing on a physical or sensory experience.

inspire a mood

Uses "inspire" instead of "elicit" and "mood" for "feeling", implying a lighter, more transient emotional state.

trigger a response

Shifts the focus to a more reactive emotional outcome using "trigger" and "response".

provoke a reaction

Similar to "trigger a response" but implies a possibly stronger or more controversial reaction.

create an impression

Focuses on the act of forming a mental image or idea, which leads to a feeling.

instill a sense

Implies a gradual process of imbuing someone with a particular feeling or perception.

foster an emotion

Suggests nurturing or encouraging the growth of an emotion over time.

draw out a feeling

Indicates that the feeling already exists but needs to be revealed or expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "elicit a feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "elicit a feeling" to describe how something provokes an emotional response. For example, "The artist's use of color was intended to elicit a feeling of peace".

What are some alternatives to "elicit a feeling"?

Alternatives include "evoke an emotion", "arouse a sentiment", or "inspire a mood". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "elicit a feeling" or "evoke a feeling"?

Both "elicit a feeling" and "evoke a feeling" are grammatically correct. "Elicit" emphasizes drawing out a response, while "evoke" suggests bringing something to mind.

What's the difference between "elicit a feeling" and "create a feeling"?

"Elicit a feeling" implies that the feeling is already present in some form and is being drawn out, while "create a feeling" suggests generating a new emotion.