Meaning & use
elicit in
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Meaning
phrasetransitive
To cause a particular reaction, feeling, or response in someone.
Grammar: Takes an object: elicit a reaction in someone. Less common than 'elicit from', which is used for getting information.
Patterns
- elicit something in someone
- elicit a response in someone
The speech elicited a strong emotional response in the audience.
Her kindness elicited a sense of trust in the new students.
The policy change elicited anger in many voters.
Common combinations
- elicit a response in someone
- The question elicited a thoughtful response in the interview.
- elicit a reaction in someone
- The movie elicited a powerful reaction in viewers.
- elicit a feeling in someone
- The music elicited a feeling of nostalgia in him.
Synonyms and how they differ
- evoke in
- Evoke is often used for bringing out feelings or memories, while elicit is more about drawing out a response or reaction.
- provoke in
- Provoke often suggests causing a strong, usually negative reaction, while elicit is more neutral.
Commonly confused: elicit in or illicit?
elicit in vs illicit
Illicit means illegal or forbidden; elicit means to draw out or cause. They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'elicit in' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Elicit in is used to say that something causes a reaction or feeling in someone. Option B correctly follows this pattern. Option A uses 'in' with a person where 'from' would be more natural for getting an answer. Option C lacks an object, and D uses the wrong preposition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “elicit in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.