I was solicited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was solicited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being approached or requested for something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "I was solicited for my opinion on the new policy changes during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Many years ago, I was solicited for a very senior position with an advertising agency.

The New York Times

"I was solicited by one of the guardsmen".

Huffington Post

Once when I was solicited by the person I was flirting with, part of me wanted to grab him and say, "No.

Vice

As a white middle-aged American man, I was solicited by eight female sex workers on my eight-block walk to the store, and by seven on my return trip to the hotel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We were in bankruptcy and I was soliciting investment people.

The New York Times - Magazine

On my second day at work, a vicar from whom I was soliciting news informed me kindly I had no chance of getting to Fleet Street without a university degree.

The Guardian

When he joined, he simply listed his occupation ("Because nobody knew who I was, and I was soliciting work on Twitter," he said in a phone interview) and weight, "because it's irrelevant to my job, and bodies make people feel uncomfortable, or at least mine does".

The New York Times

“I’d get business cards ripped up in my face because I was soliciting.” But with her easy charm, good looks and slick debating skills, she became, at age 25, Danka’s national sales trainer.

Forbes

Now, whenever I am solicited by political volunteers for Democratic candidates, I always politely say, "No thank you, I'm a Republican".

The New York Times

Because of what I do, I am solicited by these people every day, and the messages they email me are outrageously misleading and dishonest.

Huffington Post

I can't believe I'm soliciting for Road Runner, Time-Warner's Internet service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was solicited" when you want to convey that you were formally or directly asked for something, often implying a degree of persistence or formality in the request.

Common error

Avoid using "I was solicited" when you mean to say you were merely hinted at or indirectly encouraged. Solicitation implies a direct and explicit request, not a subtle suggestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was solicited" functions as a statement in the passive voice, indicating that the speaker was the recipient of a direct request or appeal. As Ludwig AI reports, it's grammatically correct and used in both News & Media and Scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was solicited" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that the speaker was directly and often formally requested for something. Ludwig AI validates this, showing its occurrence in News & Media, Science, and other sources. While similar to "I was approached", it carries a stronger implication of a formal or persistent request. When writing, it's crucial to use it when you want to emphasize the directness of the solicitation, and remember that the word "solicit" implies directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was approached

This is a more neutral term, lacking the potential negative connotations of "solicited".

I was asked for

This is a straightforward alternative, emphasizing the act of being asked.

I received a request

This alternative is more general and doesn't imply the same level of formality or insistence.

I was invited

This suggests a more welcoming and less aggressive interaction.

Someone sought me out

This emphasizes the effort made to find and contact the person.

I was petitioned

This alternative implies a formal request, often with a specific goal.

I was canvassed

This suggests a systematic effort to gather information or support from many people.

I was targeted

This implies a specific focus on the individual, often for a particular reason.

I was propositioned

This implies a specific offer, often of a business or personal nature.

I was hit up

This is a more informal term, suggesting a casual request or approach.

FAQs

What does "I was solicited" mean?

It means you were approached or asked for something, often in a formal or insistent manner. It implies a direct request, such as being asked for a donation, a vote, or your opinion.

How can I use "I was solicited" in a sentence?

For example, you could say "I was solicited for my opinion on the new company policy" or "I was solicited to donate to the political campaign".

What's the difference between "I was solicited" and "I was approached"?

"I was approached" is a more neutral term, while "I was solicited" implies a more formal or persistent request. If you want to convey the directness of the ask, use "I was solicited".

What are some alternatives to "I was solicited"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I received a request", "I was asked for", or "I was invited".