elicit criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

'elicit criticism' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it when you want to express the idea that something or someone has caused or encouraged the expression of criticism. For example: "The advertisement's offensive message was intended to elicit criticism from the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it is also likely to elicit criticism locally, since there is no obvious candidate who can satisfy each of the constituencies (principally Hispanics, women and upstate New Yorkers) clamoring to be represented by the governor's selection.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ryan's anti-stimulus plan is an unemployment-boosting scheme that would finance the military at a high level, the social safety net at the lowest possible level (Ryan is calling for a 17 percent cut in food stamps, enough to elicit criticisms from a pair of high-ranking Catholic bishops, for example) and just about nothing else.

The New York Times

The moves elicited criticism from some athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

But Saban's recruiting success has elicited criticism.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Schröder's speech, not unexpectedly, elicited criticism from both left and right in Germany.

The New York Times

It is so distasteful that it has elicited criticism from the very profession it is meant to serve.

The New York Times - Arts

So far, the plan has elicited criticism from yellow taxi medallion representatives as well as some livery car drivers.

The New York Times

It has elicited criticism from human-rights organizations that should have been helping to collect new evidence of Saddam's crimes.

The New Yorker

So far, ethnic stations have not elicited criticism from residents unhappy with losing their old stations, although a few Rockland residents initially protested WRKL's switch.

The New York Times

But the agency postponed voting on one of the most contentious aspects of the exchange rule and softened other provisions, eliciting criticism from some consumer advocates.

The New York Times

But the agency postponed voting on one of the most contentious aspects of the exchange rule and dialed down other provisions, eliciting criticism from some consumer advocates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elicit criticism", clearly identify the source or action that is causing the criticism to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The new policy elicited criticism from employees."

Common error

Ensure that the verb "elicit" agrees with the subject. It's a common mistake to use "elicit" with a plural subject when it should be "elicits" with a singular subject, and vice versa. For example, say "The decision elicits criticism" not "The decision elicit criticism".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit criticism" functions as a verb phrase, where "elicit" is the verb and "criticism" is the noun object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, indicating its grammatical soundness in written English. The phrase describes the action of causing or provoking criticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "elicit criticism" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing situations where actions or statements provoke negative feedback. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts, although it appears most frequently in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is causing the criticism. Alternative phrases like "provoke disapproval" or "invite negative feedback" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Be mindful of subject-verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "elicit criticism" to communicate about contentious issues with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke disapproval

Replaces "criticism" with a more general term, "disapproval", indicating a less specific form of negative reaction.

invite negative feedback

"Invite" suggests a less forceful causation than "elicit", and "negative feedback" is a more neutral term than "criticism".

trigger objections

"Trigger" implies a more immediate and direct causation, and "objections" refers specifically to expressed opposition.

generate complaints

"Generate" suggests a more active creation of complaints, and "complaints" are specific expressions of dissatisfaction.

draw flak

Uses a more informal and figurative term, "flak", to describe criticism.

spark controversy

Shifts the focus to the broader concept of "controversy", which includes but is not limited to criticism.

arouse condemnation

"Arouse" implies a more gradual awakening of condemnation, which is a stronger form of criticism.

incite opposition

"Incite" suggests a more deliberate and forceful causation of opposition, which is a broader term than criticism.

foster dissent

"Foster" implies a nurturing of dissent, suggesting a more gradual and widespread development of disagreement.

give rise to critique

Uses more formal terms, "give rise to" and "critique", to convey a similar meaning in a more academic context.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit criticism" to describe something that causes or provokes negative feedback. For example, "The company's new marketing campaign "elicited criticism" due to its insensitive portrayal of certain groups."

What are some alternatives to "elicit criticism"?

Some alternatives to "elicit criticism" include "provoke disapproval", "invite negative feedback", or "trigger objections", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "elicit criticism" and "receive criticism"?

"Elicit criticism" means to cause or provoke criticism, while "receive criticism" means to be the target of criticism. For example, "The politician's statement "elicited criticism"", whereas "The politician "received criticism" for his statement".

Is it better to "elicit criticism" or "avoid criticism"?

Whether it is better to "elicit criticism" or "avoid criticism" depends on the situation. Sometimes, "eliciting criticism" can be a way to start a conversation or to highlight an important issue. Other times, it may be more prudent to avoid actions that are likely to "elicit criticism".