elicits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicits" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of drawing out a response, reaction, or information from someone or something. Example: "The teacher's question elicits thoughtful responses from the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over time we become addicted to the reaction that performance elicits from those around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A pheromone is a chemical that elicits a specific behavioural response at a distance.

The Economist

Mr Brown tells their stories well, for the most part, but he elicits nothing from them that is not familiar.In this section To believe or not to believe The perils of prediction Shopping v politics Brown's heroes Their majesties Dutch treat Reprints Related items Tony Blair: What I've learnedMay 31st 2007The eighth choice, Robert Kennedy, is more puzzling.

The Economist

A blown-up photograph of carefully painted crackle marks that cunningly mimic the look of centuries-old paint elicits a smile.

The Economist

What are you recruiting for?" Answering the latter question with "I'm working on my own company" no longer elicits an audible gasp of disbelief (a sound described to me by one entrepreneurial friend as if the questioner had "spotted a panda in the wild").

The Economist

This elicits predictable denials from the Israelis who, for their part, purport to discern fresh pragmatism in the Palestinians' approach to the refugees' right of return.The spread of the intifada, in its first few days, to Israeli Arabs has destroyed the hope of Israel accepting many Palestinian refugees.

The Economist

The sculpture, taller than every entrance to the room, elicits the anxious feeling that it will grow even bigger, pushing through walls and ceiling.

The Economist

The fact is that homelessness is a fixture in most American cities and one that seldom elicits as much attention as the backlash over the hotspots suggests that it should.

The Economist

Whereas Mr Brown was largely the author of his own misfortunes (the banking crash apart), Heath, as Dominic Sandbrook reminds us in his splendidly readable new history of Britain during the four years from 1970, was faced with a set of problems whose intractability and nastiness would have overwhelmed even a far more gifted politician.Heath both appals Mr Sandbrook and elicits his sympathy.

The Economist

Maybe David Paterson, New York's governor, is onto something with his soda tax after all.Nadiya Pustovoytova finds that some Ukrainians are able to turn a profit by targeting the thrifty.And the recession elicits yet another "bah humbug".

The Economist

This sly joke elicits a smile.In this section Best and brightest From here to eternity After the trenches Darkness stirs Thought for food Focus, focus, focus Correction: The Trip to Echo Spring ReprintsOther cubist art is often hard to connect with.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elicits", ensure that the subject clearly causes the response in the object. For example, "The speaker's passion elicits enthusiasm from the audience."

Common error

Avoid using "elicits" when the subject does not directly cause the response. Incorrect: "The audience elicits a speech from the speaker." Correct: "The speaker elicits enthusiasm from the audience."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elicits" is that of a transitive verb. It describes the action of drawing out or evoking a response, feeling, or information from someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, demonstrating its role in linking a cause to an effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "elicits" functions as a transitive verb, effectively describing how something evokes or draws out a particular response or reaction. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is often favored in more precise contexts. Be mindful to use "elicits" when the subject clearly causes the response in the object to avoid common mistakes. Consider alternatives such as "provokes", "evokes", or "draws out" for slight nuance variations. With an expert rating of 4.5, "elicits" is a reliable and useful term when accuracy and clarity are essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provokes

Focuses more on causing a strong reaction or feeling.

evokes

Emphasizes the act of bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind.

draws out

Highlights the effort of extracting something, like information or a response.

stimulates

Suggests encouraging activity or development.

generates

Implies creating or producing a particular outcome or response.

triggers

Indicates a sudden or automatic initiation of a reaction.

induces

Suggests persuading or influencing something to happen.

causes

States a direct relationship between an action and its result.

extracts

Focuses on obtaining something, often with effort, from a source.

invokes

Implies calling upon or appealing to something, such as a law or principle.

FAQs

How is "elicits" typically used in a sentence?

The word "elicits" is used to describe something that evokes or draws out a response, feeling, or reaction from someone or something. For example, "The painting "elicits a strong emotional response"".

What are some synonyms for "elicits"?

Alternatives to "elicits" include "provokes", "evokes", "draws out", "stimulates", and "generates depending on the specific context".

Is there a difference between "elicits" and "invokes"?

"Elicits" means to draw out a response or reaction, while "invokes" means to call upon something, such as a law or principle. Although they both might initiate a response, they do so in different ways. "The argument "elicits debate"", versus "The lawyer "invokes the Fifth Amendment"".

How does the formality of writing affect the choice of using "elicits"?

The term "elicits" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "gets" or "causes" might be preferred depending on the specific context.