counsel

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "counsel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to advice or guidance given by a professional person or expert, or to refer to a collective group of such professionals or experts who provide advice and guidance in a particular area. For example, "The company sought counsel from a team of experienced attorneys before making their final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said he had been of the opinion that George had done nothing wrong.

The Guardian

"Sounds like a pretty good loan, doesn't it?" counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, SC, said.

The Guardian

Only after she and others made a "major stink" with contacts in the offices of the corporation counsel and Mayor Rahm Emanuel did they even learn about Homan Square.

The Guardian

When Facebook's published its requests data, the general counsel, Ted Ullyot, wrote: "We aggressively protect our users' data when confronted with such requests: we frequently reject such requests outright, or require the government to substantially scale down its requests, or simply give the government much less data than it has requested".

The Guardian - Tech

After the verdict, Buck shook hands with junior prosecuting counsel Edward Lewis and told him: "I'm sorry about this whole situation".

The Guardian

Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, said Price had also said he had been told Blair would never change policy on Europe without talking to Murdoch first.

The Guardian

Coulson has kept his counsel throughout the past three years and barely spoke to reporters who shared the same court as him in the eight-month trial at the Old Bailey.

The Guardian

A Guardian investigation details a secret facility where Americans were unable to be contacted by their legal counsel while locked inside and repeatedly denied access to basic constitutional rights.

The Guardian

Brushstroke's wine and sake list offers a great deal to go along with this food, at least if you seek the counsel of Seju Yang, the restaurant's puckish young sommelier.

The New York Times - Food

Late last week, after multiple Chicago lawyers came forward to the Guardian with allegations of suspects being interrogated without public notice or legal counsel at a warehouse known as Homan Square, more young black men from Chicago began telling their stories of being abused, off the books, inside the facility.

The Guardian

A former general counsel for the Federal Election Commission (FEC), he noted that the NRA had run afoul of the law years ago for transferring funds to its lobbying arm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counsel" to refer to a lawyer, ensure the context is clear, as it can also mean advice. For clarity, consider using "legal counsel".

Common error

Avoid confusing "counsel" (advice or lawyer) with "council" (a group of people). Proofread to ensure you've used the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "counsel" is as a noun, denoting advice, guidance, or a legal representative. It can also function as a verb, meaning to advise. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "counsel" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, primarily relating to advice, guidance, or legal representation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, predominantly in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. Its formal tone suggests that it is best suited for professional or neutral communications. To avoid confusion, ensure the context clarifies whether "counsel" refers to advice or a legal representative. Related phrases such as "legal advice", "expert guidance", and "professional advice" can serve as useful alternatives. Also, remember not to confuse "counsel" with "council".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal advice

Focuses specifically on advice related to legal matters.

expert guidance

Emphasizes the provision of guidance from someone with expertise.

professional advice

Highlights the advice being given in a professional capacity.

sound advice

Indicates that the advice is reliable and well-considered.

guidance and support

Expands the concept to include both guidance and supportive actions.

direction

Implies a more instructional form of guidance.

recommendation

Suggests a specific course of action.

legal representation

Specifies the act of representing someone in a legal context.

attorney

Refers directly to a lawyer or legal representative.

solicitor

British term for a type of lawyer.

FAQs

How to use "counsel" in a sentence?

"Counsel" can be used as a noun, referring to advice or a lawyer, or as a verb, meaning to advise. For example, "Seek legal counsel" or "The therapist will counsel you".

What can I say instead of "counsel" (advice)?

You can use alternatives like "guidance", "advice", or "recommendation" depending on the context.

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

"Counsel" refers to advice or a lawyer, while "council" refers to a group of people who meet to discuss issues and make decisions. They are homophones but have distinct meanings.

Is "legal counsel" the same as "lawyer"?

"Legal counsel" refers to the advice and representation provided by a lawyer. While often used interchangeably with "lawyer", it specifically emphasizes the advisory role.