elicit a reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'elicit a reaction' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that produces a reaction from someone or something else. For example, "The politician's speech was designed to illicit a strong reaction from his audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In addition, it was predicted that playbacks (conducted in noncompetitive contexts) of calls originally recorded in the each of the two contexts would elicit antipredator reactions (i.e., vigilance or locomotor escape reactions) at different rates, with predator-elicited calls being more likely than deceptive false alarms to elicit a reaction in listeners.

American Journal of Primatology

Whatever happens at Selhurst Park, Adebayor will elicit a reaction.

Independent

This Dr. Astrov's vigorous assaults on Yelena's icy facade are bound to elicit a reaction — and they do.

The New York Times

But continued settlement activity could serve to inflame the situation and elicit a reaction from the Palestinians.

The New York Times

These quiet, compelling photographs elicit a reaction that Mr. Parks believed was critical to the undoing of racial prejudice: empathy.

The New York Times

The most widely accepted definition of a troll is a provocateur – someone who says outrageous, extreme or abusive things to elicit a reaction.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This usually elicits a reaction of wide-eyed, open-mouthed, silent disbelief, as though wings and a tail were sprouting from the back of my head.

Independent

In our usage, the word reflects the America-centric perception that everything Kim Jong-il does is aimed at eliciting a reaction from Washington.

The New York Times

If there is an emblem of the city's global ambitions, though, it is the Hotel Unique, one of those rare examples of contemporary architecture that elicits a reaction from almost everyone who enters.

The New York Times - Travel

As part of his theory as to why content that elicits a reaction from users has more of a penchant for going viral, Peretti contrasted Google and Facebook in terms of their approaches to information.

TechCrunch

And as he heads into the final week of the one-month tour, his tour's mission has definitely elicited a reaction from fans, Avicii said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elicit a reaction" when you want to emphasize the act of drawing out a response from someone or something, often through specific actions or stimuli. For instance, a comedian might try to "elicit a reaction" from the audience with a joke.

Common error

While "elicit a reaction" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "provoke", "generate", or "induce" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a wider vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit a reaction" functions as a verb phrase, where "elicit" is the verb and "a reaction" is the direct object. It signifies the action of causing or drawing out a response from someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elicit a reaction" is a versatile and commonly used expression that means to draw out or provoke a response from someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. Its usage is prevalent across news media, scientific publications, and general informational content. While perfectly acceptable, you can enhance your writing by strategically employing synonyms like "provoke a response" or "generate a response" to avoid repetition and add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke a response

Focuses on inciting a possibly strong or emotional reaction.

generate a response

Highlights the creation or production of a reaction.

induce a response

Suggests persuading or influencing someone or something to react.

stimulate a response

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or arousing a reaction.

prompt a response

Highlights the initiation of a reaction, often quickly.

trigger a response

Implies setting off a sudden or forceful reaction.

draw a response

Suggests attracting or pulling a reaction from someone or something.

evoke a response

Stresses bringing a feeling, memory, or reaction into someone's mind.

call forth a reaction

Emphasizes summoning or producing a reaction as if by command.

fetch a response

A more informal way of saying to get or produce a reaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit a reaction" to describe actions or events that cause a response. For example, "The politician's controversial statement was intended to elicit a reaction from the public."

What are some alternatives to "elicit a reaction"?

Alternatives include phrases like "provoke a response", "generate a response", or "induce a response" depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

Is it better to say "elicit a reaction" or "elicit a response"?

Both "elicit a reaction" and "elicit a response" are correct and often interchangeable. "Reaction" might imply a more emotional or immediate response, while "response" can be more general.

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

"Elicit a reaction" means to draw out a response, often without it being directly requested. "Solicit a reaction", on the other hand, implies actively seeking or asking for a response.