invoke a feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invoke a feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability of a piece of art, literature, or communication to elicit an emotional response from the audience. Example: "The poem was so beautifully written that it managed to invoke a feeling of nostalgia in everyone who read it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Memorials should invoke a feeling, and I always look at the steel and find great power.

The New York Times

In place of one monolithic, imposing space, Maki created multiple layers of space to invoke a feeling of private courtyards and garden spaces elements essential to Japanese architecture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brightly colored rooms, inviting interior designs and classic craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture invoke a feeling of calm beauty, a reprieve from the bustling Los Angeles outside Rockhaven's boundaries.

Huffington Post

"Fall fruits and vegetables are easy and inexpensive to incorporate," says Sayles Livingston, the owner of Sayles Livingston Flowers in Tiverton, R.I., who uses autumnal tones to invoke a feeling of warmth when creating arrangements in the fall.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Lotus (Padma) Mudra invokes a feeling of expansiveness and love in the heart.

Huffington Post

Blue, the color of the sky and ocean, invokes a feeling of calm, which may contribute to better sleep.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, the Nativity story supplies a description of reality with which many women can identify and thereby invokes a feeling of community that can spur action.

Global Health Action

"I have non-narrative works that invoke a mood or feeling," she continued, "but I never create pieces that are completely abstract, and my choreography always has a human element to it, and a very technical, dancing manner.

Los Angeles Times

These trademarks, or brands, accomplish the mission of immediately invoking a certain feeling, idea or understanding in the customer.

Forbes

It found places that are intensely meaningful invoke a sense of calm, space to think and a feeling of completeness.

The Guardian

The results demonstrated highly significant differences, suggesting that individuals can acknowledge that a piece of music may intend to invoke a particular emotion that is different from the emotion that they are feeling.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "invoke a feeling", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly defined, and the feeling being invoked is appropriate to the context. For instance, specify what elements of art, music, or writing are responsible for creating that feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "invoke a feeling" in overly abstract or vague contexts. Instead, focus on specific actions, elements, or details that contribute to the emotional response. For example, rather than saying 'the situation invoked a feeling of unease', specify 'the dimly lit room and creaking floorboards invoked a feeling of unease'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invoke a feeling" functions as a verb phrase acting on a noun phrase, where "invoke" is the verb and "a feeling" is the object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes the action of eliciting an emotional response.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "invoke a feeling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that accurately describes the act of eliciting an emotional response. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, although it appears more commonly in News & Media and Scientific writing. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "evoke a sentiment" or "stir an emotion", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's important to use the phrase in contexts where the subject and the resulting feeling are clearly defined to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke a sentiment

This alternative focuses on eliciting a specific sentiment, suggesting a more targeted emotional response.

stir an emotion

This alternative suggests a more active and dynamic elicitation of emotion, implying a stronger impact.

call forth an emotion

A more formal and literary way to describe the act of evoking an emotion.

inspire a mood

This option centers on the mood that is generated which may not necessarily be a specific feeling.

elicit a response

This alternative is more general, referring to any kind of response, not necessarily emotional.

prompt a reaction

This is a more general option that does not specifically refer to feelings.

generate a sensation

This alternative emphasizes the creation of a physical or sensory experience, rather than a purely emotional one.

kindle a passion

This alternative focuses on eliciting strong, positive emotions, specifically passion or enthusiasm.

create an atmosphere

This alternative focuses on establishing an overall mood or environment that influences feelings.

trigger a memory

This version emphasizes triggering recollection of memory, this does not necessarily imply a strong feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "invoke a feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "invoke a feeling" to describe how something elicits an emotional response. For example, "The artist's use of color was intended to invoke a feeling of serenity in the viewer."

What are some alternatives to "invoke a feeling"?

You can use alternatives like "evoke a sentiment", "stir an emotion", or "elicit a response" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "invoke a feeling" or "evoke a feeling"?

Both "invoke a feeling" and "evoke a feeling" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Invoke" might suggest a more intentional or deliberate effort to create a feeling, while "evoke" can imply a more spontaneous response.

What kind of subjects can "invoke a feeling"?

Various subjects can "invoke a feeling", including art, music, literature, memories, or even physical environments. The key is that the subject has the capacity to elicit an emotional response in someone.