Evoke vs. Invoke: What’s the difference?

What do evoke and invoke mean?

While the definitions of evoke and invoke are similar, there are ways to distinguish what each word means and the differences in how they’re used. Invoke is typically used in a manner that’s active and direct. Evoke is usually passive and indirect. Both words incorporate versions of calling upon or bringing about something but evoke is commonly related to an emotional or intellectual impact.

Definitions of evoke

Evoke is a verb that means to bring something to the conscious mind, to cite with approval or for support, to remind someone of something, or to recreate something via the imagination. This spelling is typically used in reference to bring about an emotion, memory, or image to the mind. Examples of how you can use evoke in your writing are:

Looking at the family photo album evoked nostalgia in the grandparents.
In this sentence, evoked is used to describe how the album brought nostalgia to the grandparents’ minds.

The painting evokes the spirit of Andy Warhol.
This example uses evokes to describe how the painting’s style reminds viewers of Andy Warhol’s work.

Her testimony is likely to evoke sympathy from the jury.
This sentence uses evoke to call for support from the jury.

Since joining on-the-job trainings, I’ve seen similar techniques evoke successful results.
Here, evoke is using the bringing about meaning. This is where it can get tricky because this definition has a close definition to invoke.

Definitions of invoke

Invoke is used in a direct way to call upon something, to conjure someone or something, to cite a law, or to bring about or cause something. Examples of how you might use invoke in your writing are:

He tried invoking an evil spirit for Halloween.
This example uses invoking as an act of calling upon a spirit or supernatural agent.

Police can invoke the trespassing law to keep properties secure.
In this sentence, invoke is used to show how the police reference a specific law.

They perform the dance to invoke ancient spirits.
Invoke is used in this example to show how a conjuring of spirits.

You should invoke your inner poet and write a poem that evokes the rhythm and imagery of Poe, Dickinson, and Shakespeare.
This example may better clarify the difference between evoke versus invoke. In the sentence, invoke is used to show a calling of an inner spirit where evoke is being used to call to mind the styles of different writers and poets.

When to use evoke vs. invoke

To summarize, evoke is a passive way to produce something intangible, like emotions, memories, and reactions. Invoke is usually used in an active manner to call for help, support, or protection, and to enact rules and laws. Mixing up these two words is a common grammatical error that can be avoided with practice. Try testing your use of evoke and invoke so that your writing becomes clearer with time.