to elicit comments

USAGE SUMMARY

"to elicit comments" is a valid phrase in written English.
It can be used to ask for and invite feedback from a group of people; for example, "We'd like to open a discussion to elicit comments on proposed changes to the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Efforts to elicit comments at the restaurant were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

The Fox Nation, an offshoot of the main Fox News site, exists mostly to elicit comments from users and link to news sources.

The New York Times

The Oxley proposals, which the congressman referred to as a "road map of goals and concepts" designed to elicit comments and debate, represent a middle way in comparison with plans already on the table.

The New York Times

As she attended the party wearing a skin-tight, seizure-causing exercise ensemble (appropriate for a date with Jack La Lanne), I am not surprised by her need to elicit comments.

The New York Times

Certainly, this is not the secretive club's best option, and initial attempts to elicit comments, including by Bloomberg News, were met with the usual replies that the club does not discuss membership issues.

The New York Times

It appears, however, that this event was reported to a journalist who decided to elicit comments from a variety of academics at other universities, as well from as the general secretary of UCU, but not the 75 people who attended the event.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

And, of course, there was her nose, which never failed to elicit comment in print.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shimada's profile was sufficiently high for his resignation to elicit comment from the chief government spokesman, Yukio Edano.

The Guardian

Attempts to elicit comment from Rowland and his son, Jonathan, made by other media earlier in the week were unsuccessful.

The Guardian

(The Hartford Courant, Democracy Now!, and the Times, as well as the Review-Journal, all failed to elicit comment from Schroeder on this point).

The New Yorker

When she eventually asked what was wrong, he replied: "But dear Doris, you've done nothing to elicit comment from me".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to elicit comments", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of comments you are seeking. Providing specific prompts or questions can help focus the feedback.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you want "to elicit comments" without providing any context. This can lead to unfocused or irrelevant feedback. Always specify the subject or area on which you need feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to elicit comments" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically modifies a verb or clause, indicating the reason or intention behind an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples where proposals are designed "to elicit comments and debate".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to elicit comments" serves as a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the intention of gathering feedback or opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriate usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; providing specific prompts ensures more focused and relevant feedback. Alternatives like "to gather feedback" or "to solicit input" can be used for variety, though "to elicit comments" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gather feedback

Focuses on collecting feedback rather than specifically comments.

to solicit input

Emphasizes the act of requesting input or opinions.

to obtain opinions

Highlights the goal of acquiring opinions.

to encourage responses

Stresses the act of promoting or motivating responses.

to invite remarks

Uses a more formal tone when seeking comments.

to prompt discussion

Shifts the focus towards initiating a discussion.

to draw out views

Highlights the effort to extract or reveal viewpoints.

to provoke reactions

Emphasizes causing a reaction or response.

to generate dialogue

Focuses on creating a conversation or exchange.

to secure suggestions

Highlights the action to gain ideas.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "to elicit comments" in a sentence?

Use "to elicit comments" to introduce the purpose of an action aimed at gathering feedback, such as "The city council will hold a public hearing to elicit comments on the proposed development".

What are some alternatives to "to elicit comments"?

You can use alternatives like "to gather feedback", "to solicit input", or "to obtain opinions" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what kind of comments you want when using "to elicit comments"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the type of comments you're looking for can help focus the feedback and make it more useful. For example, "to elicit comments on the design" is more specific than just "to elicit comments".

What is the difference between "to elicit comments" and "to encourage comments"?

"To elicit comments" implies a more direct request or action aimed at getting feedback, while "to encourage comments" suggests creating an environment where people feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.