elicit laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"elicit laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action, usually a joke or statement, that raises a laugh or humorous reaction from a group of people. For example, "John's silly pun elicited laughter from the whole room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This work, however, is not intended to elicit laughter.

The Guardian - Arts

At different moments, the film wants to elicit laughter, disgust and tears of empathy.

The New York Times

But Indians saw that the comment was meant to elicit laughter, not agreement.

The Guardian - Books

"Doing something that would elicit laughter from them — whether it involved music or noises or whatever.

The New Yorker

Though much of the work will elicit laughter, Cattelan and Ferrari take it very seriously.

The New York Times

But it does elicit laughter, followed by some virulent cases of S.W.R.O.R.N.S. -- Suddenly Wanting to Run Over the Rich in Their New Saabs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Can you help me?" The question elicited laughter.

The New York Times

"Tell me about it," the doctor replied, invariably eliciting laughter.

The New York Times - Health

"Can the CNN producer keep it down in the back," Bannon said, eliciting laughter.

The New Yorker

And I did!" Mr. Bruno said, eliciting laughter from the press corps.

The New York Times

Around baseball, the subject of Disco Demolition Night still elicits laughter, anecdotes and wide-eyed wonder.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "elicit laughter", ensure the humor is appropriate for your audience and context. Consider cultural sensitivities and potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid relying on humor that could be offensive or exclusionary in an attempt to "elicit laughter". Ensure your jokes are inclusive and considerate of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit laughter" functions as a verb phrase, where "elicit" is a transitive verb meaning to evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions, and "laughter" is a noun representing the response being evoked. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicit laughter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of causing someone to laugh. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media, and Wiki contexts, this phrase denotes an intention or action that results in amusement. When aiming to "elicit laughter", one must be mindful of the audience and context to ensure the humor is appropriate and inclusive. Alternatives such as "engender laughter" or "provoke laughter" can be used to add nuance. Ultimately, understanding the function, purpose, and register of "elicit laughter" will empower you to wield humor effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engender laughter

Focuses on the act of bringing laughter into existence or causing it to arise.

provoke laughter

Highlights the act of deliberately instigating laughter through specific actions or words.

generate laughter

Emphasizes the creation or production of laughter, often suggesting a continuous or abundant flow.

induce laughter

Implies influencing someone to laugh, possibly through subtle or indirect means.

stimulate laughter

Suggests encouraging or prompting laughter, often in a more subtle or gentle way.

spark laughter

Implies a sudden and immediate outburst of laughter as a reaction.

bring about laughter

Similar to engender, focuses on the causation of laughter, but with a slightly more active connotation.

call forth laughter

Emphasizes an active effort to evoke or summon laughter from an audience.

draw laughter

Highlights the ability to attract or pull laughter from people, suggesting a charismatic effect.

create laughter

Suggests building or crafting laughter, often through careful planning and execution.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit laughter" to describe actions or words that cause people to laugh, such as "The comedian's witty jokes "elicited laughter" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "elicit laughter"?

Alternatives include phrases like "engender laughter", "provoke laughter", or "generate laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to try to "elicit laughter" in a formal setting?

While humor can be effective in formal settings, it's crucial to use it judiciously. Ensure that the humor is appropriate for the context and audience, and avoid anything that could be perceived as unprofessional or offensive.

What's the difference between "elicit laughter" and "get a laugh"?

"Elicit laughter" is more formal and suggests a deliberate attempt to cause laughter, while "get a laugh" is more informal and simply refers to successfully making someone laugh, regardless of intent.