council

USAGE SUMMARY

"council" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a group of people appointed to make decisions, or to refer to an organization of people that meets to discuss certain topics. For example, "The town council held an emergency meeting to discuss the proposed budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The UN motion was passed on Tuesday night, with the support of the US, but a number of security council members condemned Russia's stance.

The Guardian

Shortly before the meeting the council issued a statement expressing "grave concern at the continued fighting in and around Debaltseve" and demanded that all parties to the conflict cease hostilities immediately.

The Guardian

In 2002 Art Solidari won a €15,000 prize from the city council and that allowed Blasco and López to employ a part-time co-ordinator, the NGO's only paid employee, to recruit and manage the volunteers and the workshops they run.

The Guardian

The following Monday, 3 November, the principals re-assembled in Manchester's council chamber for the formal signing.

The Guardian

The city council compulsorily purchased the Hubb building.

The Guardian

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

This is still ongoing but the council has assured us that they will fully fund the library for the next few years.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's good to be back, but I'm in a privately owned ex-council flat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"No single market should drive the growth and composition of a country's incoming postgraduate body," said Zainab Malik, director of research for British Council education intelligence.

The Guardian

The 62-page rank-'em-and-spank-'em study, Waste and Opportunity 2015, was published Thursday by advocacy nonprofits As You Sow and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The Guardian

Sadr's popularity among Shias far exceeds that of that Dawa Party which Maliki leads, or the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) of his ally, Ayatollah Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, which has its own militia, the Badr Brigades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific council, use proper capitalization (e.g., "City Council").

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "council", which refers to a group, with "counsel", which means advice or to advise. Double-check your spelling and context to ensure you're using the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The noun "council" functions primarily as a subject or object within a sentence, representing a deliberative or governing body. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from city councils to international bodies like the UN Security Council.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "council" is a very common noun used to describe a group of people who come together to advise, deliberate, or govern. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Its frequency in news and media underscores its relevance in discussions about governance and decision-making. Remembering to distinguish it from "counsel" (advice) and capitalizing it correctly when referring to a specific body are key to proper usage. By considering alternatives like "governing body" or "committee", you can enrich your writing and provide greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

governing body

Refers to an organized group of people with the authority to govern a community or organization. It focuses on the act of governing.

advisory group

Emphasizes the council's role in providing advice and recommendations rather than direct governance.

committee

Highlights a specific group formed to address particular tasks or issues within a larger organization.

board of directors

Specifically refers to the governing body of a corporation or organization.

legislative assembly

Describes a formal assembly responsible for making laws and policies.

governance structure

Focuses on the system and framework through which an organization is controlled and directed.

deliberative assembly

Emphasizes the aspect of collective discussion and decision-making.

consultative body

Stresses the role of seeking advice and input from the council.

ruling authority

Highlights the power and control exercised by the council.

administrative unit

Focuses on the council as part of the organizational structure responsible for administration.

FAQs

How is "council" used in a sentence?

The word "council" typically refers to a group of people who meet to make decisions or give advice. For example, "The city council approved the new zoning regulations."

What are some synonyms for "council"?

Alternatives to "council" include "governing body", "advisory group", or "committee", depending on the specific context.

When should I capitalize "council"?

Capitalize "council" when referring to a specific council as a proper noun, such as "The United Nations Security Council". Do not capitalize it when used generically, such as "a city council meeting".

What's the difference between "council" and "counsel"?

"Council" refers to a group of people, while "counsel" means advice or to advise. For example, "The lawyer provided legal counsel" uses "counsel" in its advice-related sense, whereas "city council" refers to the group.