elicited a reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicited a reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where a question or statement prompted someone to respond. Example: "Her thoughtful question elicited a reply from the audience, sparking a lively discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But occasionally he let himself be dragged into the theory of art and the problematics of language; as by his friend Axel Kaun, who elicited a reply from Beckett on July 9, 1937, about language: "Since we cannot dismiss it all at once, at least we do not want to leave anything undone that may contribute to its disrepute.

The New York Times - Books

RUJBAN, Libya — The leader of Libya's opposition movement said Sunday that rebel leaders had offered Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi the option to leave power and remain in his country, but he said that the offer, which seemed to represent a considerable softening of the rebel position, had not elicited a reply.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Not to mention the fun of knowing that calling the ordinary Gas Board telephone number would never elicit a reply if the thing went wrong: only a call to the number reserved for gas leaks would stand a chance of being answered.

The Economist

In other words, not one to one messages that would elicit a reply.

TechCrunch

On the one hand, they're trying to elicit a reply by anchoring their message to fact, but on the other hand, they haven't really personalized it at all.

Vice

On the one hand, they're trying to elicit a reply by anchoring their message to fact, but on the other hand, they haven't really personalised it at all.

Vice

These systems link in with databases containing contact details to enable text messages to be sent en masse to multiple mobile phone users at pre-specified times, and elicit a reply if required.

BMC Psychiatry

That elicited a response.

The New York Times

But Newton Dunn did not, wading in with a tart tweet… That elicited a speedy reply from Creasy, asking if Newton Dunn was planning to mention Cameron's "shiny blue tie" in his commentary (though I doubt The Sun will run anything on a topic that it wishes would somehow disappear).

The Guardian

My Twitter question, along with similar points raised by Matthew McDermott on Treehugger, elicited a Green Room reply from Andrea Thomas, Wal-Mart's senior vice president of sustainability.

The New York Times

Even a professor seems to have been tricked by the bot: A tweet from @Scarina91 in June of this year elicited a chuckle and reply from a Twitter user identifying himself as president of the teacher's association at Brazil's University of Rio Grande do Norte.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elicited a reply", ensure that the subject clearly caused the response. For instance, "The controversial statement elicited a reply from the opposition."

Common error

Avoid using "elicited a reply" when the connection between the action and the response is weak or unclear. A vague or unrelated action should not be described as having elicited a specific reply.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicited a reply" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an action, question, or statement caused someone to respond. As Ludwig AI points out, this implies a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elicited a reply" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that an action directly caused a response. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage implies a cause-and-effect relationship, and it commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts. While relatively uncommon, it's a versatile phrase that fits in neutral registers. Remember to use it when the connection between the cause and the response is clear, and consider alternatives like "provoked a response" or "drew a response" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoked a response

Emphasizes a stronger reaction or instigation compared to simply receiving a reply.

drew a response

Highlights the act of pulling or attracting a response, suggesting a more direct causation.

garnered a reaction

Implies effort or a process through which a response was collected or earned.

prompted a reaction

Suggests a direct and immediate causation of a reaction.

invited a response

Indicates that the action created an opportunity or opening for a reply.

occasioned a reply

Highlights that the action was the cause or reason for the response.

triggered a response

Emphasizes the action as a catalyst that initiated the reply, often with an implication of immediacy.

brought about a response

Focuses on the result or consequence of an action, emphasizing that a response was produced.

sparked a reaction

Conveys a sense of suddenness and energy in the response.

generated a reply

Implies a more systematic or mechanical process that led to the creation of a reply.

FAQs

How can I use "elicited a reply" in a sentence?

Use "elicited a reply" when you want to indicate that a specific action, question, or statement prompted someone to respond. For example: "The professor's challenging question elicited a reply from the usually quiet student."

What are some alternatives to "elicited a reply"?

You can use alternatives like "provoked a response", "drew a response", or "prompted a reaction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "elicited a reply" or "received a reply"?

"Elicited a reply" implies causation; something specific prompted the response. "Received a reply" simply means a response was received, without implying a direct cause. Choose "elicited a reply" when you want to emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship.

What's the difference between "elicited a response" and "elicited a reply"?

While similar, "reply" typically refers to a direct answer to a question or statement. "Response" is broader and can encompass any reaction, not just a verbal one. Therefore, "elicited a reply" is more specific in meaning than "elicited a response".