evoke an emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evoke an emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how a piece of art, literature, or any form of expression can trigger feelings in the audience. Example: "The film's powerful score was able to evoke an emotion that resonated deeply with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Art is supposed to evoke an emotion.

The Guardian

He added: "People do not tune into personalities who don't evoke an emotion.

The New York Times

"Rather than just show the clothes, we wanted to evoke an emotion," Murphy says.

The New York Times - Style

It's with this in mind that Brad Meltzer has published his new novel, "The Book of Lies," with an accompanying CD. "Music is manipulative, it helps evoke an emotion," Meltzer has said.

The New Yorker

Last summer, I wrote about literary soundtracks — CDs that are packaged with books, which hope, in the words of one author, "to evoke an emotion.… What you hear is as close as I can give you to what I'm feeling as I'm writing".

The New Yorker

In a redoubled effort to capture consumers' attention in this sputtering economic recovery, some paint companies are hoping to distinguish their brands with names that tell a story, summon a memory or evoke an emotion — even a dark one — as long as they result in a sale.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

When Dean Maltz studied architecture at Cooper Union, he was told that good architecture evokes an emotion.

The New York Times

"How can you tell a story with one frame that by its simplicity, manages to tell a story, a gag that evokes an emotion in you?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That slumped figure's vulnerability, somehow conveying the sheer surprise of death tearing out of the sky without warning, evokes an emotion no Hollywood epic, then or now, could ever risk treating as conclusive: grief.

The New York Times - Arts

I love it, and I love laughing, and I love evoking an emotion, and the best thing is to evoke all of them, to make somebody laugh and cry and cheer and get their blood boiling and then chill 'em out".

The Guardian

It evokes an emotion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evoke an emotion" when you want to emphasize the power of something—like art, music, or a story—to stir up feelings in someone.

Common error

Avoid using "evoke an emotion" too frequently in academic or analytical writing. Aim for more precise language that describes the specific emotion being conveyed rather than simply stating that an emotion is evoked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evoke an emotion" functions as a verb phrase where 'evoke' is the verb and 'an emotion' is the object. It describes the action of something causing a feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evoke an emotion" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of causing a feeling. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is correct. While "evoke an emotion" is considered uncommon but usable in various contexts, it’s particularly frequent in news media and scientific writing. Alternatives such as "stir up feelings" or "arouse emotion" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. When writing, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, especially in analytical contexts, to maintain precision and avoid wordiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stir up feelings

Focuses on the act of initiating or awakening feelings.

Arouse emotion

Emphasizes a heightened state of emotion.

Trigger a feeling

Highlights the sudden and reactive nature of the emotional response.

Generate emotion

Focuses on the creation or production of emotion.

вызвать чувство

Direct translation in Russian. Suitable for multilingual contexts.

Elicit a response

Broader; could be cognitive or behavioral, not necessarily emotional.

Inspire emotion

Suggests a more positive or uplifting emotional response.

Create a feeling

Similar to generate emotion, but with a slightly less formal tone.

Awaken sentiment

More literary and refined, suggesting a deep or nostalgic emotion.

Provoke a response

Like elicit, but may suggest a stronger or more negative reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "evoke an emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "evoke an emotion" to describe how something causes a feeling in someone. For example, "The artist's painting was intended to evoke an emotion of peace and tranquility."

What are some alternatives to "evoke an emotion"?

You can use alternatives like "stir up feelings", "arouse emotion", or "trigger a feeling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "evoke emotion" or "evoke an emotion"?

While "evoke emotion" is sometimes used, "evoke an emotion" is generally more grammatically correct and clearer, especially when referring to a single, specific emotion.

What kind of things can "evoke an emotion"?

Many things can "evoke an emotion", including art, music, memories, stories, and even certain places or smells.