Common Usage Errors/Explanations
evoke vs invoke : Common Errors in English
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About evoke vs invoke
“Evoke” and “invoke” are close together in meaning, and are often confused with each other. The
action of “invoking” is usually more direct and active. It originally involved calling upon or summoning
up a god or spirit. An invocation calls upon whatever is invoked to do something or serve a function.
“Invoke” now can also be used to mean “to appeal to, to cite”: “in his closing argument, the lawyer
invoked the principle of self-defense.”“Evoke” is usually less purposefully active, more indirect, often
used to mean “suggest.” If you invoke the spirit of Picasso, you’re trying to summon his soul up from
the grave; but if your paintings evoke the spirit of Picasso, it means their style reminds viewers of that
artist’s work.
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evoke Meaning(s)
(v) call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
(v) evoke or provoke to appear or occur
(v) deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning)
(v) summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
(v) call to mind
invoke Meaning(s)
(v) summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
(v) cite as an authority; resort to
(v) request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
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These writers use evoke well:
As with terrorism, the public has deep concerns about America’s place in the world, but
these worries do not evoke a strong policy debate. [The National Interest]
It’s intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia … [Miami New Times]
The Irish Times went so far as to evoke the memory of WB Yeats in its unnerving
editorial “Was it for this” two weeks ago. [Guardian]
Some writers use provoke (which connotes intention to evoke or elicit, often with
sinister goals) where evoke would make more sense—for example:
CCTV cameras provide reassurance to some and provoke unease about a surveillance
state in others. [Herald Scotland]
A new tribute to Mark Twain may provoke as much thought and provide as much
enjoyment as the author’s words. [Hannibal Courier-Post]
And these writers use invoke well:
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Examples
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One is reminded of Dante, who invoked the muse to speak of his journey to the pit and
back … [James Blachly]
Desperate for money, the city of Portland decided to invoke a leaf-removal fee this
autumn. [The Oregon Commentator]
Danes still sometimes invoke Tycho when they explain their need to excuse themselves
during a meal. [NY Times]
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Amount v. Number
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"Use amount with singular mass nouns (an amount of money; the
amount of love), and use number with plural count nouns (the number
of castles; a number of sophomores). Common and Vulgar English
frequently use amount with plural count nouns (a huge amount of
children on the playground), and repeated exposures to that usage
often blur the Standard models for us. There are also instances where
plural count nouns are treated as representing those items in mass
and hence usable with amount (He contracted for an enormous
amount of apples). In speech such a use might go almost unnoticed,
but Edited English would most likely change it to number or find an
entirely different way to say it."
(Kenneth G. Wilson, "amount, number," The Columbia Guide to
Standard American English, 1993)
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INFER vs. IMPLY
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The best way to remember the difference between these two words is to think in terms of the model
used by communications theorists. Communication consists of a message, a sender, and a receiver. The
sender can imply, but the receiver can only infer. The error that usually occurs is that the word infer is
mistakenly used for imply.
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WRONG: Are you inferring that I am a fool?
RIGHT: Are you implying that I am a fool?
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If someone gets the idea from your behavior that you are a fool, then he is inferring that you are a
fool. But if he is subtly letting you know that he thinks so, then he is implying that you are a fool. You, of
course, can infer from his implication that he thinks you are a fool.
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IMPLY = to put the suggestion into the message (sender implies)
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INFER = to take the suggestion out of the message (receiver infers)
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IMPLICATION = what the sender has implied
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INFERENCE = what the receiver has inferred