induce gasps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "induce gasps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that causes surprise, shock, or awe, often in a dramatic or theatrical context. Example: "The magician's final trick was so astonishing that it induced gasps from the entire audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Riener makes it yet more sensational, bending and folding in ways that induce gasps.

The New York Times - Arts

The whole raison d'être of this slender, prickly tease of a monologue, which opened last night at the Public Theater with an expert performance by Ed Harris, is a last-minute revelation meant to induce gasps of both shock and admiration for its having been built so neatly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Twisting their limbs around the trapeze with impressive dexterity, they occasionally appear to hang just by the tips of their toes, inducing gasps from the audience.

The New York Times

The concept, which induced gasps and wild applause from the audience of Lamborghini owners and their friends, appeared ready for either takeoff, or at least transformation into an instrument for world domination, like the characters in the "Transformers" movie franchise.

The New York Times

Immersed in Amadeo's kinetic visual concepts animated by a dance troupe he directed, The Lost Star induced gasps of admiration with costuming largely designed by the ravishing blonde artist herself.

Huffington Post

An ambitious world-building sci-fi epic that triggers heartsick swoons as much as it does awe-inducing gasps, Jupiter Ascending is perhaps the only film on this list in which Mila Kunis falls in love with a dog and how!

Vice

Even better, the incident is a non-incident; Kennedy manages to make gasp-inducing drama out of something that doesn't even happen.

The Guardian - Books

Huffington Post promises that it will "induce snotty, wheezy, gasp-for-air sobs".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Sorry" will likely induce snotty, wheezy, gasp-for-air sobs.

Huffington Post

Pertussis-associated gasping may induce internal upper airway obstruction, which is consistent with the intrathoracic petechiae typically found in SIDS cases [ 32].

BMC Pediatrics

All the same, sales of these pocket-sized books, launched in February last year, are pretty gasp-inducing.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "induce gasps" to describe moments of profound surprise or shock, particularly in dramatic or theatrical contexts, to effectively convey the intensity of the audience's reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "induce gasps" too frequently in your writing; overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for truly exceptional moments that warrant such a strong reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "induce gasps" functions as a verb phrase, where "induce" is the verb and "gasps" is the direct object. It describes the action of causing someone to gasp, often due to surprise or shock. As Ludwig AI mentions, the phrase is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "induce gasps" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of causing someone to gasp, typically due to surprise, shock, or awe. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and appropriate for describing scenarios that prompt a sharp intake of breath. While not frequently used, appearing most often in News & Media and Science contexts, it is a valuable tool for vividly conveying a strong reaction. Alternatives include "elicit gasps" and "trigger gasps". Overusing this phrase, however, can diminish its impact, so it's best reserved for truly exceptional moments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit gasps

Replaces "induce" with "elicit", focusing on drawing out the response.

trigger gasps

Substitutes "induce" with "trigger", emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

cause gasps of astonishment

Adds "of astonishment" to specify the reason for the gasps, increasing intensity.

prompt gasps of surprise

Uses "prompt" instead of "induce" and "of surprise" for clarity.

evoke gasps from the audience

Replaces "induce" with "evoke" and specifies the source of the gasps.

generate audible gasps

Focuses on the sound of the gasps, using "generate" and specifying them as audible.

result in gasps of awe

Emphasizes the outcome, framing gasps as a result of awe.

inspire gasps of disbelief

Connects gasps to disbelief, changing the emotional context slightly.

produce a gasp reaction

Shifts the focus to a reaction, using "produce" for a more clinical tone.

draw gasps from onlookers

Uses "draw" to imply attraction and specifies "onlookers" as the source.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "induce gasps" in a sentence?

Use "induce gasps" to vividly describe a moment that causes a sudden, sharp intake of breath due to surprise, shock, or awe. For example, "The magician's final act was so unexpected it induced gasps from the audience."

What are some alternatives to "induce gasps"?

You can use alternatives like "elicit gasps", "trigger gasps", or "cause gasps of astonishment" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "induce gasps" formal or informal?

"Induce gasps" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, although it is more common in descriptive or narrative contexts.

What does it mean to say something is "gasp-inducing"?

Saying something is "gasp-inducing" means it is so shocking, surprising, or impressive that it causes people to gasp. It is an adjectival form, whereas "induce gasps" is a verb phrase describing the action of causing such a reaction.