good counsel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good counsel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate wise advice or guidance, either given to someone or received from someone. For example: "My mother gave me some good counsel when I was faced with a difficult decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

This is still good counsel.

The New Yorker

He was receiving good counsel".

The New Yorker

That's pretty good counsel.

The Guardian - Opinion

I tried to give them good counsel.

The New York Times - Food

I did my best to give good counsel.

The New York Times - Food

We will miss her wisdom and good counsel.

The New York Times

Her leadership and good counsel will be sorely missed.

The New York Times

We will miss his good counsel, dedicated support and gracious presence.

The New York Times

This was all good counsel, and Glover followed some of it — in his own way.

The New Yorker

But I have very good counsel in this case, and I'm going to follow him".

The New Yorker

In this instance, he said he received good counsel from his adviser.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good counsel" when you want to emphasize the positive impact of advice received or given. It implies the advice is beneficial and well-intentioned.

Common error

While "good counsel" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "sound advice" or "wise guidance" to make your writing more engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good counsel" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "good" modifies the noun "counsel". It typically acts as a direct object or a subject complement in sentences. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe the quality of advice received or given.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good counsel" is a correct and frequently used phrase to describe wise and beneficial advice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts, predominantly within news and media. For variety, consider using synonyms like "sound advice" or "wise guidance". This phrase serves to emphasize the positive quality and impact of the guidance being offered or received. While versatile, it's important to be aware of more specific terms such as "legal counsel" when the context requires it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound advice

Replaces 'good' with 'sound', emphasizing the quality of the advice being solid and reliable.

wise guidance

Substitutes 'counsel' with 'guidance', which focuses on direction and support.

prudent advice

Replaces 'good' with 'prudent', highlighting the careful and judicious nature of the advice.

sage advice

Uses 'sage' instead of 'good', suggesting the advice comes from someone experienced and knowledgeable.

helpful advice

Emphasizes the helpfulness of the advice.

valuable counsel

Highlights the worth and importance of the advice.

expert guidance

Suggests the guidance is coming from a professional or someone highly skilled.

informed advice

Focuses on the advice being based on thorough knowledge and understanding.

astute guidance

Emphasizes keen insight and cleverness in the guidance.

judicious counsel

Highlights the wisdom and good judgement behind the counsel.

FAQs

How can I use "good counsel" in a sentence?

You can use "good counsel" to describe advice that is helpful and wise. For example, "He sought "good counsel" from his mentor before making the decision."

What can I say instead of "good counsel"?

You can use alternatives like "sound advice", "wise guidance", or "prudent advice" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "good counsel" or "good advice"?

Both "good counsel" and "good advice" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Counsel" often implies a more formal or considered form of advice.

What is the difference between "good counsel" and "legal counsel"?

"Good counsel" refers to general wise advice, while "legal counsel" refers specifically to advice given by a lawyer or legal professional.