did not solicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not solicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not request or seek something, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The company stated that they did not solicit any personal information from their customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Guardian did not solicit the material.

The Guardian

The Economist did not solicit my opinion for the article.

The Economist

Mr. Lee did not solicit the alumni committee's nomination.

The New York Times

The journal did not solicit the articles, said Dr. Edward W. Campion, senior deputy editor.

The New York Times

It's not as if we did not solicit — and continue to solicit — opinions from a wide range of folks.

The New Yorker

Labour, however, condemned the Lib Dem fundraising drive and insisted it did not solicit campaign donations from foreign nationals.

The Guardian

Industrial Development Agency members did not solicit political contributions from me, nor did they suggest that I should make contributions.

The New York Times

Previously, town officials could accept campaign donations from applicants as long as they did not solicit the contributions.

The New York Times

Mr. Bock says that Ms. Clark bought a custom-built dollhouse for his daughter, but says that he did not solicit it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Smith claims he didn't solicit the footage.

The Guardian

I didn't solicit anybody," said Mr. Daley, sitting near the firm's managing partner, Vincent Sergi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not solicit", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not requested or sought. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "did not solicit" when a more direct synonym like "did not ask" is more appropriate. "Solicit" often implies a formal or professional context, and its misuse can sound overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not solicit" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of a request or appeal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly used to deny the act of seeking something, often in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not solicit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the absence of a request or appeal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, primarily within News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider formality and context, opting for simpler alternatives like "didn't ask for" in casual settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what was not requested to avoid ambiguity, particularly given the phrase's prevalence in formal or professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not request

Focuses on the absence of a formal request.

did not ask for

Emphasizes the lack of a direct appeal.

did not seek

Highlights the absence of an active search.

did not invite

Stresses the lack of an invitation or encouragement.

did not encourage

Indicates a lack of support or promotion.

did not prompt

Highlights the absence of instigation.

did not pursue

Emphasizes the lack of follow-through or active engagement.

did not initiate

Focuses on the absence of starting something.

did not instigate

Highlights the absence of causing something to happen.

did not campaign for

Indicates the absence of promotional actions.

FAQs

How can I use "did not solicit" in a sentence?

Use "did not solicit" to indicate that someone didn't request something, such as, "The organization stated that they "did not solicit" donations from foreign entities."

What's a more casual way to say "did not solicit"?

In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "didn't ask for" or "didn't request" as simpler alternatives.

Which is correct: "did not solicit" or "has not solicited"?

Both "did not solicit" and "has not solicited" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Did not solicit" refers to a specific past action, while "has not solicited" implies that something has not happened up to the present moment.

Is "solicit" always negative?

While "solicit" often appears in negative constructions like "did not solicit", it is not inherently negative. It simply means to ask for or try to obtain something. However, the context often dictates whether the act of soliciting is viewed positively or negatively.