elicit a response from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'elicit a response from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the act of prompting a reaction or response from someone or something. For example, "The teacher asked a thought-provoking question to elicit a response from the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

All her attempts to elicit a response from him were like stones cast into the ocean.

The New Yorker

Words for Trump are the quintessential Pavlovian bell, used to elicit a response from the mob.

The Washington Post

Unknown Attempts to elicit a response from the European headquarters of the International Taekwondo Federation were redirected to Seoul.

The Guardian - Sport

We wanted the pages to sparkle and to elicit a response from readers, but we were afraid to be frivolous.

The Guardian

The key was Barber's use of humour and irony to attempt to elicit a response from Kleiber – it worked.

The Guardian - Music

Attempts to elicit a response from the European headquarters of the International Taekwondo Federation were redirected to Seoul.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It was about eliciting a response from the community".

The New York Times

As with any physical characteristic, skin tone elicits a response from the viewer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That elicited a response from Bob Weeks, the host of "WichitaLiberty.TV," a show about Kansas politics and public affairs.

The New York Times

There was no three-minute takedown of the president that wound up eliciting a response from Trump himself.

The Washington Post

Stupor is a state of suppressed consciousness in which only very vigorous stimulation elicits a response from the patient.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elicit a response from" when you want to emphasize the act of carefully drawing out a reaction, answer, or feedback from someone or something, often through specific actions or stimuli.

Common error

Avoid using "elicit a response from" in overly passive constructions that obscure who or what is doing the eliciting. Instead of "A response was elicited from the audience", prefer "The speaker elicited a response from the audience."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit a response from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of prompting or drawing out a reaction from someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elicit a response from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of prompting a reaction or answer. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, and alternative phrasing options like "engender a response from" or "trigger a response from" can add nuance. When using this phrase, ensure active voice for clarity and understand its intended meaning: the purposeful seeking of a reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engender a response from

Focuses on causing or bringing about a response.

trigger a response from

Emphasizes the action that initiates a response.

invite a response from

Highlights the act of encouraging or requesting a response.

prompt a response from

Suggests quickly causing or inciting a response.

draw a response from

Implies extracting or obtaining a response, often with some effort.

extract a response from

Highlights the effort needed to get a response.

call forth a response from

Emphasizes an appeal or summons that creates a response.

provoke a reaction from

Focuses on causing a strong emotional response.

solicit a reaction from

Highlights a formal request to receive reaction from the people.

seek a reaction from

Highlights the act of actively searching for someone's reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "elicit a response from" in a sentence?

You can use "elicit a response from" to describe an action that prompts a reaction, like, "The comedian's jokes aimed to elicit a response from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "elicit a response from"?

Alternatives include "engender a response from", "trigger a response from", or "invite a response from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "elicit a response from" and "solicit a response from"?

"Elicit a response from" implies drawing out a reaction, while "solicit a response from" suggests a formal request or appeal. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

When is it appropriate to use "elicit a response from" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when describing deliberate efforts to get feedback or reactions. For example, "The survey was designed to elicit a response from a broad demographic."