counsels

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counsels" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to advice or guidance provided, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The therapist offers valuable counsels to help her clients navigate their challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A solicitor from the Belfast firm, Darragh Mackin, said: "We think Amal's track record speaks for itself, as do all of the counsels' CVs in this case.

The Guardian

Worse, this wheeze appears to have emanated not from the deepest counsels of the editorial department, but from marketing and distribution.

The Guardian - Books

A Martini must be freshly made – "You can no more keep a Martini in the refrigerator than you can keep a kiss" – and he counsels against making them too strong: a Martini should make you believe that "at any moment we may see the unicorn.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the rest of his political career, he was at the heart of the party's counsels as it coped with the effects of sustained terrorist violence, and led the drive for peace and political stability.

The Guardian

It also counsels against blaming every problem on the departed executive.

The Economist

Companies' general counsels pay much more attention to offsets than they did a decade ago, says Grant Rogan, the head of Blenheim Capital.Even if graft really is on the wane, offsets' complexities make it hard to measure the true cost of defence deals.

The Economist

"Don't announce the names of the people who have to go over the public-address system," counsels Ms Duck.

The Economist

In his latest offering ("Primal Leadership: Realising the Power of Emotional Intelligence", Harvard Business School) he counsels business leaders to create a "reservoir of positivity that inspires passion and motivates people".

The Economist

This shows Midas on his throne, receiving the counsels of Ignorance and Suspicion, with a hooded Envy clasping the hand of Calumny, who in turn, with Deception and Fraud attending, is dragging the unidentified victim by the hair, while Penitence turns hopefully towards stark-naked Truth.

The Economist

Once an allegation has been made to the attorney-general, a special prosecutor must be appointed within 90 days if the attorney-general sees "reasonable cause" for further investigations; the presumption is that, at the first whiff of misbehaviour, a special prosecutor must follow.In this section Drowning in oil Going bananas Are independent counsels necessary?

The Economist

In response to a tricky legal issue raised on a Friday, he requested that briefs from the opposing counsels be brought to his chambers on Saturday, and he delivered an opinion when the court reopened on a Monday.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the use of "counsels" aligns with the intended level of formality; it often implies a more formal or professional setting.

Common error

A common mistake is using "counsels" when the singular form "counsel" is appropriate. Remember that "counsels" is typically used as a plural noun (referring to multiple instances of advice or multiple legal advisors) or as the third-person singular present tense of the verb "counsel".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "counsels" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of advice or a group of legal advisors. It can also function as the third-person singular present tense of the verb "counsel". As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used in legal and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "counsels" can function as a plural noun referring to instances of advice or legal advisors, or as a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media, and formal business contexts and usually suggests expertise or formal guidance. When writing, ensure the correct singular or plural form is used to avoid confusion, and consider the level of formality appropriate for the context. Remember that while "counsels" and "advice" can often be interchanged, "counsels" often implies a more formal considered recommendation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advice

A general term for guidance or recommendations offered.

guidance

Implies direction or support, often in a more supportive or mentoring context.

recommendations

Suggestions or proposals, often based on expertise or evaluation.

legal advice

Specifically refers to advice from a legal professional.

direction

Suggests a course of action or instructions.

suggestions

Offers ideas or options for consideration.

input

Contributions or feedback provided for decision-making.

consultation

Seeking professional advice or guidance.

insights

Gaining a deeper understanding or perspective through advice.

briefings

Providing detailed information or instructions.

FAQs

How to use "counsels" in a sentence?

You can use "counsels" to refer to legal advisors, as in "The firm employs experienced "legal counsel"." It can also describe pieces of advice, such as "Heeding wise "pieces of advice" is crucial for success."

What can I say instead of "counsels"?

Alternatives include "advice", "guidance", or in a legal context, "legal advice". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "counsels" or "counsel"?

"Counsel" is the singular form and can also be a verb. "Counsels" is the plural form referring to multiple instances of advice or advisors, or the third-person singular present tense of the verb "counsel". For example: "She sought legal "legal counsel"" (singular) vs. "The senators listened to the wise "wise counsels" (plural)."

What's the difference between "counsels" and "advice"?

"Advice" is a general term for recommendations. "Counsels" often implies more formal or considered advice, potentially from a body of experts or in a legal setting. While interchangeable in some contexts, "counsels" suggests greater weight and deliberation.