canvassing views

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "canvassing views" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when seeking opinions or feedback from a group of people on a particular topic or issue. Example: "The committee is canvassing views from the community to better understand their needs and concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Continuing our series of features on VoIP security issues, canvassing views from a variety of organizations.

Network Security

He starts by canvassing views from a large sample of people.

The Economist

Markets reporter Nick Fletcher has been canvassing views on this alarming volatility.

The Guardian - Business

"The leadership group have, quite appropriately, been canvassing views, various views amongst various colleagues," he told the ABC.

The Guardian - Business

"After canvassing views from a number of William Hill's major shareholders, the board has decided that it will not pursue discussions with Amaya," the bookmaker said.

The Guardian - Business

Whatever British agricultural policy (BAP?) comes next – and the National Farmers Union is already canvassing views on which this should look like – Leadsom will have the thankless task of lobbying the Treasury to replace those subsidies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The poll canvassed views on climate change among the "major religious traditions" in the US.

The Guardian

Where better to canvass views on the use of social media in academia than on Twitter?

The Guardian

The cables reveal how the US embassy industriously canvassed views from a range of Moscow experts on Russia's unusual political duopoly.

The Guardian

He is due to report by the end of this year.One person from whom he will not need to canvass views is Lord Young of Graffham, a former trade minister in Margaret Thatcher's government.

The Economist

An Australian television station canvassed views among British tennis writers in the first week and it was clear that Kyrgios, after barely a year in the unforgiving glare of a sometimes brutal media examination, has divided opinion from Melbourne to London.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "canvassing views" when the intent is to gather a wide range of opinions, rather than simply seeking confirmation of a pre-existing viewpoint. This implies an open and unbiased approach to information gathering.

Common error

Avoid using "canvassing views" when the goal is to persuade rather than to understand. This term implies an objective gathering of opinions, not a biased effort to promote a specific agenda.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "canvassing views" functions as a verbal noun phrase, typically used as a gerund. It describes the action of systematically gathering opinions or perspectives, and the Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and usable form in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "canvassing views" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the process of gathering opinions or feedback, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. While it maintains a neutral register, it is important to use it when the goal is genuinely to understand a range of perspectives rather than to promote a specific agenda. Alternatives like "gathering opinions" or "seeking feedback" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathering opinions

Focuses on the collection of opinions, simplifying the action.

seeking feedback

Emphasizes the search for constructive criticism or input.

soliciting input

Highlights the request for contributions or ideas.

polling opinions

Implies a more structured or formal method of gathering views.

surveying attitudes

Suggests a broad assessment of beliefs or feelings.

ascertaining perspectives

Focuses on discovering different points of view.

collecting viewpoints

Emphasizes the act of bringing together various perspectives.

gauging sentiment

Indicates an attempt to measure the general feeling or mood.

taking soundings

Suggests a preliminary exploration of opinions.

getting reactions

Focuses on obtaining immediate responses or impressions.

FAQs

How can I use "canvassing views" in a sentence?

You can use "canvassing views" to describe the process of seeking opinions on a particular topic. For example, "The committee is "canvassing views" from the community to better understand their needs and concerns."

What's a formal alternative to "canvassing views"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "soliciting input" or "gathering opinions" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "canvassing views" the same as conducting a survey?

While both involve collecting information, "canvassing views" typically implies a broader, less structured approach than a formal survey. Surveying often uses questionnaires, while "canvassing views" can involve discussions and informal inquiries.

How does "canvassing views" differ from "seeking feedback"?

"Seeking feedback" often focuses on specific aspects or improvements, whereas "canvassing views" aims to gather a wider range of opinions, including those not directly related to improvement or critique. The former is more targeted, the latter more exploratory.