What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
invoke
Example
The priest invoked the name of God to bless the ceremony. [invoke: verb]
Example
The lawyer invoked the Fifth Amendment to protect his client's rights. [invoked: past tense]
Example
The song invokes feelings of nostalgia for my childhood. [invokes: present tense]
enlist
Example
He enlisted in the army after finishing high school. [enlisted: past tense]
Example
The organization is trying to enlist volunteers for their upcoming event. [enlist: verb]
Example
I need to enlist the help of my friends to move this heavy furniture. [enlisting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enlist is more commonly used than invoke in everyday language. Enlist is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while invoke is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between invoke and enlist?
Both invoke and enlist can be used in formal contexts, but invoke is more likely to be used in legal or religious settings, while enlist is more likely to be used in business or organizational settings.
