evoke a sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"evoke a sense" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe something that evokes or brings about a particular feeling or emotion in someone. For example: "The music evoked a sense of nostalgia in me, reminding me of my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We meant to evoke a sense of suburb," he said.

The New York Times

The ads evoke a sense of Rockwellian calm.

The New York Times

Indeed, agile sprints were so-named to evoke a sense of pace.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is supposedly intended to evoke a sense of commedia dell'arte comedy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even so, this hourlong 2008 creation does evoke a sense of vanished times.

The New York Times

She was elected chancellor twice, but for her, elections evoke a sense of trauma.

The New York Times

IN FEW countries does the word "sodomy" evoke a sense of political déjà vu.

The Economist

Yet his sculptures still evoke a sense of the sublime through their sheer scale and materiality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How does one evoke a sense of what might happen, or of what could?

The New Yorker

How can music evoke a sense of longing, or a poem deep sadness?

MIT Technology Review

Conservative A-line pinafore dresses were deconstructed with cutaway panels to evoke a sense of freedom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to create a specific emotional impact in your writing, use "evoke a sense" followed by the emotion or feeling you wish to inspire, for example, "evoke a sense of wonder".

Common error

Avoid using "evoke a sense" passively. Instead of saying, "A sense of sadness was evoked," try "The music evoked a sense of sadness" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evoke a sense" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of bringing a particular feeling, memory, or atmosphere to mind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It describes the ability of something to trigger or elicit a specific emotional or sensory experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evoke a sense" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the act of bringing a particular feeling or impression to mind. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic writing, it maintains a neutral to formal register. Effective use involves specifying the desired emotion or feeling, while avoiding passive constructions. Related phrases include "engender a feeling" and "inspire a mood", offering nuanced alternatives. This phrase allows writers to articulate how various stimuli can trigger emotional and sensory experiences in their audience, adding depth and impact to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call forth a feeling

Emphasizes the act of summoning or bringing a feeling to the forefront.

engender a feeling

Highlights the creation or generation of a feeling.

inspire a mood

Focuses on inspiring a particular mood or emotional state.

stimulate a feeling

Focuses more on the active stimulation of a feeling rather than its general evocation.

create an impression

Shifts the focus to the formation of an impression rather than a feeling.

incite a sentiment

Implies a stronger, more active stirring up of a particular sentiment.

foster an atmosphere

Emphasizes the creation of a surrounding atmosphere or mood.

generate a perception

Focuses on creating a specific perception or understanding.

spark a reaction

Highlights the triggering of a response or reaction.

conjure an image

Implies the creation of a vivid mental image.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "evoke a sense" in a sentence?

Use "evoke a sense" to describe how something—an image, sound, or setting—creates a particular feeling or emotion. For example, "The painting "evoked a sense" of peace and tranquility".

What are some alternatives to "evoke a sense"?

You can use phrases like "stimulate a feeling", "engender a feeling", or "inspire a mood" to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it better to say "evoke a sense of" or "evoke a feeling of"?

Both "evoke a sense of" and "evoke a feeling of" are correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a general impression ("sense") or a specific emotion ("feeling").

Can inanimate objects "evoke a sense", or is it limited to people and experiences?

Inanimate objects can certainly "evoke a sense". Art, music, and even architecture are frequently described as evoking specific feelings or emotions.