elicit suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicit suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing actions or behaviors that provoke doubt or mistrust in others. Example: "His sudden change in behavior began to elicit suspicion among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habits were considered important factors, but vague symptoms, anaemia, and clinical findings could also elicit suspicion.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Karmapa, who is in his mid-20s, has always elicited suspicion among Indian security officials.

The New York Times

Intelligent and strategic interrogation of drivers and passengers seemed a primary mechanism for preliminary identification of potentially "bad people," or at least people whose behaviors elicited sufficient suspicion to warrant further search.

The New York Times

Too much about these programs remains shrouded in secrecy, which only elicits more suspicion about how information is used, whether ordinary people actually have privacy rights, and who holds governments accountable.

Huffington Post

He has elicited loud suspicions that he is a proxy for Pakistan's powerful generals, who disdain both Mr. Zardari and his main political rival, Nawaz Sharif, yet are considered too weak at present to take over power themselves.

The New York Times

Cases of chronic post-operative inflammation that fail to resolve with corticosteroids should elicit a high suspicion for CPE.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Our algorithms do incorporate a strategy for seeking clinically silent acute cases of disease (serial change in hepatitis B surface antigen from negative to positive in a patient without known prior infection) but this strategy is still contingent upon patients with silent disease presenting for clinical care and eliciting sufficient clinical suspicion to prompt serial surface antigen testing.

Plosone

In the current (wholly understandable) Bush-bashing environment, just mentioning the US elicits reactions ranging from suspicion to outrage.

The Guardian - Travel

Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and eliciting the relevant occupational, recreational, animal and pet exposure histories.

BMC Infectious Diseases

This is not, admittedly, a question one would routinely put to an eminent contributor to the New Yorker, but his salesmanlike pitch is apt to elicit a matching, customer-like suspicion.

The Guardian - Books

If a history of recent acupuncture over the symptomatic area is elicited, a high index of suspicion should be maintained and appropriate imaging performed to establish the diagnosis.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "elicit suspicion". In formal settings, it may be more appropriate than more colloquial alternatives.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "elicit", which means to draw out or evoke, with "illicit", which means illegal or improper. Using the wrong word can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit suspicion" functions as a verb phrase where "elicit" (verb) takes "suspicion" (noun) as its direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of causing or drawing out feelings of doubt or mistrust. The examples show its usage in describing situations where certain behaviors or findings lead to suspicion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicit suspicion" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes how certain actions or circumstances give rise to feelings of doubt or mistrust. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the expression is deemed appropriate for usage in written English. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, its usage spans from neutral to formal registers, rendering it a versatile choice for describing scenarios where suspicion arises. Remember to differentiate "elicit" from "illicit" to prevent usage errors. By considering the context and audience, writers can effectively employ "elicit suspicion" to convey the intended meaning, or use near alternatives such as "arouse suspicion", "raise suspicion" or "provoke suspicion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse suspicion

Focuses on creating a feeling of suspicion.

raise suspicion

Implies bringing suspicion to the forefront.

provoke suspicion

Highlights the act of instigating suspicion.

generate suspicion

Emphasizes the creation or production of suspicion.

induce suspicion

Suggests influencing someone to feel suspicion.

create suspicion

Directly refers to the act of forming suspicion.

trigger suspicion

Implies setting off a pre-existing sense of suspicion.

inspire suspicion

Highlights the act of giving rise to suspicion.

foster suspicion

Suggests nurturing or encouraging suspicion.

engender suspicion

Focuses on the act of causing suspicion to arise.

FAQs

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

You can use "elicit suspicion" to describe actions or behaviors that cause others to become doubtful or mistrustful. For example: "His evasive answers began to elicit suspicion from the investigators".

What are some alternatives to "elicit suspicion"?

Alternatives to "elicit suspicion" include "arouse suspicion", "raise suspicion", or "provoke suspicion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "elicit suspicion" formal or informal?

"Elicit suspicion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is generally more common in formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "elicit suspicion" and "arouse suspicion"?

While both phrases are similar, "elicit suspicion" emphasizes the act of drawing out or prompting suspicion, while "arouse suspicion" focuses more on creating or stirring up a feeling of suspicion.