eliciting laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eliciting laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions, performances, or content that provoke a humorous response from an audience. Example: "The comedian's clever jokes were successful in eliciting laughter from the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Health

"You haven't been here long enough, Rabbi!" one of the congregants shouted, eliciting laughter all around.

The New York Times

"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

"I was going to fire you!" Mr. Vignelli retorted, eliciting laughter.

The New York Times

"I have aspirations to be desired," he said eliciting laughter from the several hundred attendees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

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

Use "eliciting laughter" when you want to describe something that successfully provokes a humorous response from an audience or individual. It's particularly effective when the cause of the laughter is subtle or unexpected.

Common error

While "eliciting laughter" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "provoking laughter" or "inducing laughter" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eliciting laughter" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the act of causing or provoking laughter. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. It's often used to describe a specific action or comment that successfully creates a humorous response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eliciting laughter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the action of causing or provoking laughter. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider synonyms like "provoking laughter" or "inducing laughter" to avoid repetition. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide array of writing scenarios. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the successful generation of a humorous response, particularly one that is subtle or unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoking laughter

Focuses on the act of causing laughter, similar to "eliciting laughter" but with a slightly more active connotation.

evoking laughter

Similar to "eliciting", but can also imply a deeper emotional response beyond simple amusement.

inducing laughter

Highlights the effect of causing laughter, suggesting a more passive or subtle influence.

generating laughter

Emphasizes the creation or production of laughter, implying a more deliberate or intentional effort.

drawing laughter

Suggests attracting laughter, often implying that the humor is inherent or easily perceived.

inspiring laughter

Implies a more uplifting or positive cause of laughter, suggesting that the laughter is inspired by something good or enjoyable.

triggering laughter

Indicates a more immediate and direct cause of laughter, often implying a strong or sudden reaction.

causing laughter

A general term for making someone laugh, less nuanced than "eliciting laughter".

setting off laughter

Suggests a chain reaction or spontaneous outburst of laughter.

bringing about laughter

A more formal way of saying "causing laughter", suitable for more serious or academic contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "eliciting laughter" to describe actions or statements that cause people to laugh, for example: "The comedian's jokes were aimed at "eliciting laughter" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "eliciting laughter"?

Some alternatives include "provoking laughter", "inducing laughter", and "generating laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "eliciting laughter" or "causing laughter"?

"Eliciting laughter" is often seen as slightly more formal and nuanced than "causing laughter". While both are correct, "eliciting laughter" can imply a more subtle or skillful way of provoking humor, while "causing laughter" is more direct.

What is the difference between "eliciting laughter" and "evoking laughter"?

While similar, "eliciting laughter" typically refers specifically to causing laughter, "evoking laughter" might suggest a broader emotional response that includes amusement but could also encompass other feelings.