evoke

USAGE SUMMARY

'evoke' is an appropriate word in written English.
It is used to describe when a feeling, memory, or idea is brought to mind or recalled. For example, "The smell of the ocean always evokes happy memories of our family vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The narrative spirals outwards and backwards to evoke, first, a world without seasons or colour, then the emergence of plant and animal life, then the time of human habitation, ending with a series of "prospects" of Britain which I think are among the best 20th-century nature writing.

The Guardian - Books

One of the devils has the sores and grey skin that appear in other parts of the altarpiece and evoke the illnesses treated there.

The Guardian

They evoke the great "cloth halls" of medieval Flanders and their architect, Alfred Waterhouse, was told to let rip, to go to "any cost reasonably required".

The Guardian

Strawberries, for example, may evoke a very special summer, a traditional Sunday roast may draw a familiar, cosy blanket over a wet weekend, or birthday cake may conjure a childlike wonder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He also warned that "violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan".

The Guardian

When we talk about what we do it can evoke memories of their own bereavements so we are careful when we explain our business for the first time.

The Guardian

Maybe we can evoke this evasive spring if we try hard enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Its memory couldn't help but evoke some ironies to this Indian in Scotland.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cabinet ministers evoke a wide variety of judgments, but I cannot recall anything quite so caustic as that of the celebrated journalist Bernard Levin, on the foreign secretary, Selwyn Lloyd, in 1959.

The Guardian - Business

As was said on Saturday, for many black and Asian people, both flags evoke memories of National Front marches and assaults in the 1970s, and EDL demonstrations today.

The Guardian - Opinion

He presided over a period in which the very phrase "trade union" seemed to evoke ignominious response and even ridicule.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evoke" when you want to describe how something subtly brings a feeling, memory, or idea to mind without directly stating it.

Common error

Avoid using "evoke" when you mean to "provoke". "Evoke" is about bringing something to mind gently, while "provoke" implies causing a strong, often negative, reaction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "evoke" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind. Ludwig examples show its application in various contexts, such as "evoking memories" or "evoking a strong reaction".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evoke" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of bringing a feeling, memory, or image to mind. As Ludwig AI confirmed, its usage is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, particularly in news, formal business settings, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "bring to mind" or "conjure up" exist, "evoke" carries a nuanced sense of subtlety. Remember to distinguish it from "provoke", which implies a stronger, often negative, reaction. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "evoke", aiding in its precise and effective use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring to mind

Focuses on the act of causing something to be remembered.

call forth

Emphasizes the act of summoning or producing a memory or feeling.

conjure up

Suggests a more imaginative or creative act of bringing something to mind.

elicit

Highlights the act of drawing out a response or reaction.

invoke

Implies a formal or ceremonial act of calling upon something.

stimulate

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or arousing a feeling or response.

awaken

Suggests bringing something dormant or latent into consciousness.

ignite

Implies a sudden and intense arousal of feeling or memory.

prompt

Focuses on causing or encouraging a specific action or response.

generate

Highlights the act of creating or producing a feeling or idea.

FAQs

How to use "evoke" in a sentence?

You can use "evoke" to describe how something brings a feeling, memory, or idea to mind. For example, "The old photograph "evokes" memories of my childhood".

What can I say instead of "evoke"?

You can use alternatives like "bring to mind", "call forth", or "conjure up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "evoke" or "invoke"?

"Evoke" means to bring a feeling or memory to mind, while "invoke" means to call on something (like a law or deity) for support. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "evoke" and "elicit"?

"Evoke" describes bringing a feeling or memory to mind, while "elicit" means to draw out or obtain something (like a response or information) from someone.