What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evoke
Example
The smell of freshly baked cookies evokes memories of my grandmother's kitchen. [evoke: verb]
Example
The painting evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing. [evokes: present tense]
provoke
Example
His rude comments provoked her to tears. [provoke: verb]
Example
The article provoked a strong reaction from readers. [provoked: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Provoke is more commonly used than evoke in everyday language. Provoke covers a wider range of contexts and can be used in both formal and informal situations, while evoke is more commonly used in artistic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evoke and provoke?
While evoke is typically associated with a more formal and literary tone, provoke is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
