provoking feelings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoking feelings" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that elicits emotional responses, such as art, literature, or personal experiences. Example: "The film was powerful, provoking feelings of nostalgia and longing among the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Harrison was pathetic, in the sense of provoking feelings of pity.

The Guardian - Sport

When Michael Graff, the general secretary of the People's Party, actually accused the World Jewish Congress of provoking "feelings that we all don't want to have," a journalist here named Barbara Coudenhove-Kalergi replied that it was not a matter of whether you wanted to have those feelings — it was having them that counted.

The New Yorker

The downside of this style is an unfortunate, shorthandlike way of writing off minor figures as caricatures and a certain emotional glibness expressed through facile, heart-tugging plot devices like funeral gatherings and near-fatal accidents -- time-honored ways of provoking feelings that the material doesn't quite justify.

The New York Times

This has manifested in stringent rules governing this otherwise generous social infrastructure, provoking feelings of frustration in the residents and contested ownership between the stakeholders.

Emotion, Space and Society

Eric Jensen and other experts on the brain have written that music is responsible for much more educationally than just provoking feelings.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Obese diabetic patients, especially women, feel their physicians provoke feelings of being stuck, defiance, guilt or shame [ 12].

BMC Family Practice

Developmental and clinical psychologist Diane Ehrensaft, PhD., notes that transgender youth often struggle during the onset of puberty, where unwelcome physical changes can provoke feelings of entrapment in a gender that just doesn't feel right.

Huffington Post

But at least I provoke feelings!

The Guardian - Arts

For many, airplanes, skyscrapers and even elevators provoke feelings of fear.

The New York Times

Looking back on how much I used to care and manage never fails to provoke feelings of guilt.

Independent

So public health information may be shared more if it provokes feelings of anxiety rather than sadness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoking feelings", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the emotional response. For example, specify the event, action, or stimulus that is leading to the feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "provoking feelings" without specifying the type of feelings being provoked. Being specific (e.g., "provoking feelings of anxiety" rather than just "provoking feelings") enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

Provoking feelings functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of causing or stimulating emotions. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoking feelings" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of eliciting emotional responses. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. While not exceedingly common, it finds use in news, media, and scientific writing. To maximize clarity, it's best to specify the type of feelings being provoked. Alternatives include "evoking emotions" and "stirring emotions". The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, avoiding overly formal or informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoking emotions

Focuses on the act of bringing emotions to the surface.

stirring emotions

Emphasizes the intensity and depth of the elicited emotions.

eliciting emotions

Highlights the act of drawing out emotions.

arousing sentiments

A more formal way of saying provoking feelings, often used in literature.

instilling emotions

Suggests a more gradual and deliberate process of creating feelings.

generating emotions

Focuses on the creation of feelings as a result of something.

inciting emotions

Implies a more forceful and potentially negative elicitation of feelings.

triggering emotions

Suggests that something acts as a stimulus for pre-existing emotions.

awakening emotions

Emphasizes the idea of bringing dormant or suppressed emotions to life.

fostering emotions

Highlights the nurturing and development of feelings over time.

FAQs

How can I use "provoking feelings" in a sentence?

You can use "provoking feelings" to describe something that elicits an emotional response. For example, "The movie was powerful, "provoking feelings" of nostalgia and sadness."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "provoking feelings"?

Alternatives include "evoking emotions", "stirring emotions", or "eliciting emotions", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "provoking feelings" or "eliciting feelings"?

"Provoking feelings" and "eliciting feelings" are both correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "provoking" might suggest a stronger or more immediate emotional response than "eliciting".

What is the difference between "provoking feelings" and "causing feelings"?

"Provoking feelings" implies a stimulus that triggers an existing emotion, whereas "causing feelings" suggests a direct creation of a new emotion. The subtle difference lies in whether the emotion was already present or is entirely new.