which elicits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which elicits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that provokes or brings forth a response, feeling, or reaction. Example: "The film contains a scene which elicits strong emotions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mention of which elicits a raised eyebrow from Asbill.

The Guardian - Tech

All of which elicits a sort of embarrassed shrug from the director.

The New York Times

Response to the lyric was not wholly positive, which elicits gentle disappointment from the singer.

The Guardian - Music

A possibility to increase the comfort is using a seat which elicits positive tactile experiences.

Applied Ergonomics

Bray Wyatt delivers a mesmerising promo which elicits just as many cheers as boos.

Independent

It's not just a corporation – it's a cultural icon which elicits an extraordinary passion, entirely incommensurate with its unremarkable product.

The Guardian

Two days later, she takes another drug, misoprostol, which elicits uterine contractions that result in a miscarriage.

The New York Times

Platforms need users to create content which elicits the kind of engagement that is attractive to advertisers.

The Guardian

He trips on the uneven curb and falls hard to the ground, which elicits a collective ooh from the crowd.

The New York Times

In one scene, for instance, he high-fives Zakia, the incongruity of which elicits chuckles from the audience.

The New York Times

My colleagues who do "experimental philosophy" love to harass subjects with Philippa Foot's Trolley Problem, which elicits non-utilitarian intuitions that set our teeth on edge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which elicits" to clearly connect a cause and its resulting effect, ensuring the relationship between the two is evident to the reader. For example: 'The speaker's passionate delivery, which elicits a strong emotional response from the audience, made the speech memorable.'

Common error

Ensure the "which" clause directly follows and clearly refers to the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity. Avoid constructions where the "which" clause could mistakenly refer to a different noun in the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which elicits" functions as a relative clause introducing a description of the cause-and-effect relationship. It modifies a noun, specifying what kind of response or reaction it provokes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which elicits" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of provoking a particular response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and common across many contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "that provokes" or "that evokes", as they can provide subtle differences in meaning. Remember to use "which elicits" to add extra non-essential information. To prevent ambiguity, ensure the "which" clause refers directly to the noun it is meant to modify.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that provokes

Emphasizes the act of causing a reaction or feeling, similar to eliciting.

that evokes

Focuses on bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind, similar to the emotional aspect of eliciting.

that triggers

Highlights the initiation of a process or response, suggesting a more immediate and direct effect.

that generates

Stresses the creation or production of something, like a response or feeling.

that induces

Implies persuasion or influence to cause a specific action or state.

that stimulates

Focuses on encouraging activity or development, similar to prompting a reaction.

that prompts

Suggests encouraging someone to say or do something.

that inspires

Highlights the positive influence leading to creativity or action.

that gives rise to

Emphasizes the role of creating or causing something to happen.

that results in

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of something.

FAQs

How do I use "which elicits" in a sentence?

Use "which elicits" to introduce a relative clause that explains what kind of response or reaction something causes. For example: "The comedian told a joke "which elicits" laughter from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "which elicits"?

You can use alternatives such as "that provokes", "that evokes", or "that triggers" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of causing a response.

Is it better to use "that elicits" or "which elicits"?

In this context, "which elicits" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional information that isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. "That elicits" could be used in a restrictive clause if the information is essential for identifying the noun it modifies.

What is the difference between "which elicits" and "that causes"?

"Which elicits" implies a more subtle or nuanced generation of a response compared to "that causes". "That causes" is more direct and general, while ""which elicits"" often refers to a more indirect or emotional response.