elicit sorrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicit sorrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that provokes feelings of sadness or grief in someone. Example: "The film's poignant ending was designed to elicit sorrow from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The death at 37 of Pushkin, the country's Mozart of literature, still elicits fury, sorrow and outrage in the guide who shows me the book-lined room where Pushkin's life ebbed away after his duel in 1837.

The New York Times - Travel

How, in particular, are we to explain the difference between the sorrow elicited by a successful tragedy and the sorrow elicited in this case?

SEP

"Native America Calling" doesn't always elicit such anger and sorrow.

The New York Times - Arts

The plot twist, though, was just the latest in a long tradition of television character assassinations, many of which have elicited reactions of shock, pain, sorrow, fury and sometimes laughter from devoted watchers.

The New York Times - Arts

The work was repeatedly used by filmmakers in the 1990s to elicit a sense of pathos or sorrow, including as an accompaniment to a plane crash in Peter Weir's Fearless (1993), in the soundtrack to Paolo Sorrentino's La grande bellezza (film) (2013) and in the soundtrack to Julian Schnabel's Basquiat (1996).

Wikipedia

Convent school ("wax floor polish and cabbage"), Dublin ("dinner gowns in banana cream"), Putney ("Diane Cilento would bring the I Ching"), and Chelsea ("Most evenings he would go out to the public phone to ring his family") were to follow, eliciting "the extremities of joy and sorrow, love, crossed love and unrequited love, success and failure, fame and slaughter".

The New Yorker

Your instinctive contempt for her displays of sorrow, and how she's been able to elicit comfort, raises questions about whether you received what you needed 10 years ago, when you were so young and less equipped to ask for support, or even understand how to grieve.

The New York Times - Style

Sorrow, sorrow, sorrow, grief, and sorrow.

The New Yorker

"All that sorrow".

The New Yorker

"The Cure for Sorrow".

The New Yorker

He accepted his sorrow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elicit sorrow", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It's best when describing art, stories, or events designed to evoke feelings of sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "elicit sorrow" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "cause sadness" or "make sad" are more appropriate for everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit sorrow" functions as a verb phrase where 'elicit' (verb) acts upon 'sorrow' (noun). According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. The verb 'elicit' means to evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "elicit sorrow" is grammatically sound but relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is valid and correct. It's best suited for describing actions or artistic expressions intended to evoke feelings of sadness or grief. While versatile, it's often more fitting in neutral to formal contexts like news articles, academic discussions, or professional communications, as per the usage analysis. When aiming for clarity or in informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more effective. Ultimately, understanding the specific nuance you want to convey is key to using this phrase appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke sadness

This alternative uses a more common and direct verb, focusing on the act of bringing about sadness.

arouse grief

This option suggests a stronger emotional response, implying a profound sense of loss and mourning.

provoke grief

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing grief, often through a specific event or situation.

generate sadness

This phrase is more clinical and less emotionally charged than "elicit sorrow".

stir up grief

This alternative suggests that the grief was already present but is being reawakened.

induce sadness

Similar to 'generate sadness', this option implies a more controlled or predictable emotional response.

cause sadness

This is a simple and direct alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

bring about sorrow

This option emphasizes the result of the action, the arrival of sorrow.

create grief

This alternative might suggest actively fostering or cultivating grief.

inspire sorrow

This implies a more profound or artistic triggering of sorrow, suggesting it comes from a deeper place.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit sorrow" to describe something that brings about feelings of sadness. For example, "The film's ending was designed to elicit sorrow from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "elicit sorrow"?

Some alternatives include "evoke sadness", "arouse grief", or "provoke grief" depending on the context.

Is "elicit sorrow" formal or informal?

"Elicit sorrow" is generally considered a more formal expression. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "cause sadness" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "elicit sorrow" and "cause sorrow"?

"Elicit sorrow" suggests a more nuanced and intentional process of bringing about sadness, often through art or storytelling, while "cause sorrow" is a more direct and general expression.