I was soliciting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was soliciting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is requesting or seeking something, often in a formal or legal sense. Example: "During the meeting, I was soliciting feedback from my colleagues to improve the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

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

The New York Times

We understand that's not scalable long term but what I'm doing is I'm soliciting their preferences so that we can build that plan for them.

TechCrunch

MR: I'm soliciting it!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was soliciting", ensure the context clearly indicates what you were seeking and from whom. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I was soliciting" in casual contexts where a simpler term like "asking for" would be more appropriate. "Soliciting" often implies a formal or professional request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was soliciting" functions as a statement describing a past action of requesting or seeking something. It indicates a process of actively trying to obtain something, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was soliciting" is a grammatically sound way to describe a past action of requesting or seeking something, typically in a formal context. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and provides examples from reputable news and media sources. While not extremely common, its usage is generally neutral to professional. Alternatives like "I requested" or "I sought" can be used depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity about what was being sought and from whom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was asking for

Highlights the act of making a request.

I requested

Emphasizes a formal request.

I sought

Focuses on the act of seeking, implying a more deliberate search.

I was trying to get

A more informal way of expressing the attempt to obtain something.

I sought out

Focuses on actively searching and finding.

I was appealing for

Implies a more urgent or emotional request.

I pursued

Indicates a persistent effort to obtain something.

I canvassed

Suggests a systematic effort to obtain something from many people.

I was on the lookout for

Highlights the act of searching for something specific.

I was putting out feelers for

Implies a tentative approach to gauge interest or availability.

FAQs

What does "I was soliciting" mean?

The phrase "I was soliciting" means you were requesting or seeking something from someone. It often implies a formal or business context.

What can I say instead of "I was soliciting"?

You can use alternatives like "I requested", "I was asking for", or "I sought" depending on the context.

Is "I was soliciting" formal or informal?

"I was soliciting" tends to be more formal. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "I was asking for" or "I was trying to get".

How to use "I was soliciting" in a sentence?

Use "I was soliciting" when you want to describe a situation where you were formally requesting or seeking something. For example, "I was soliciting feedback from the team after the presentation".