it was unsolicited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unsolicited" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was given or received without being asked for, often in the context of feedback, offers, or communication. Example: "The feedback I received from my colleague was unsolicited, but I appreciated their perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was unsolicited interference, she said, and "it felt like a violation".

The New York Times

The rival offer looked daring because it was unsolicited and included a plan to split up ABN Amro, something never tried on such a large scale.

The New York Times

That is, it was unsolicited, but hardly a job application to the reigning prince from a man who had recently been tortured by Medici leadership.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"If it's unsolicited you should never trust it".

The New York Times

It's unsolicited lectures from friends on colonics.

The New York Times - Style

What's new about the current acknowledgments page is that it's unsolicited — it appears like an online pop-up ad, benefiting no one but the author and his comrades.

The New Yorker

"The media demand for him comes from South America, Australia, China, all of Europe; it is literally international and it is unsolicited and relentless," said Sunny Mindel, the former mayoral communications director, who continues to serve as Mr. Giuliani's spokeswoman.

The New York Times

About 75percentt of it is unsolicited PR pitches.

TechCrunch

I appreciate this guidance, although most of it is unsolicited.

Huffington Post

The reality is that nobody wants to be changed or fixed -- especially if it's unsolicited!

Huffington Post

When your input is needed or when you think you can really help, then giving advice can be a great thing to do, but in general, you should avoid giving your advice to people, especially if it's unsolicited.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing business deals or investments, using "it was unsolicited" can underscore the unexpected nature of the offer, potentially highlighting its attractiveness or strategic importance.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unsolicited" if you want to convey that something was unwelcome or undesirable. While unsolicited actions might be unwanted, the phrase itself simply means 'not asked for'. Use adjectives like "unwelcome", "undesired", or "unwanted" to express negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unsolicited" functions as a descriptive statement, typically modifying a noun or pronoun by specifying that an action, offer, or piece of information was given or received without having been requested. Ludwig examples show it describing interference, offers, and contact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was unsolicited" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote something given or done without being requested. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, the phrase finds its niche in news, science, and wiki contexts, serving to clarify the origin of an action or offer. Related phrases, such as "it was unrequested" or "it was freely offered", can provide alternative phrasing depending on the desired emphasis. When using "it was unsolicited", ensure that the context aligns with its meaning of 'not asked for' and avoid using it to imply something was unwelcome unless that is explicitly stated. The phrase carries a neutral tone, lending itself well to factual reporting and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unrequested

Focuses on the lack of a prior request, similar to unsolicited.

it was unasked for

Emphasizes that no one inquired or sought the action or item.

it was provided without prompting

Highlights the absence of any external encouragement.

it was freely offered

Highlights the voluntary nature of the offering.

it was volunteered

Implies a proactive offering without prompting.

it was tendered willingly

Emphasizes the willing participation in the offering.

it was gratuitous

Suggests the offering was unnecessary or excessive.

it was spontaneous

Focuses on the sudden and unplanned nature of the action.

it came out of the blue

Indicates the unexpectedness and surprise of the event.

it was a surprise offer

Highlights that it was given without an anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was unsolicited" in a sentence?

You can use "it was unsolicited" to describe something offered or received without being asked for. For example, "The advice "it was unsolicited", but helpful."

What's a formal alternative to "it was unsolicited"?

A more formal alternative could be "it was unrequested" or "it was proffered without solicitation". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is "it was unsolicited" always positive or negative?

"It was unsolicited" is neither inherently positive nor negative. Its connotation depends on the context. For example, "it was a surprise offer" sounds beneficial, and "it was unwelcome" is clearly negative.

What's the difference between "it was unsolicited" and "it was unwanted"?

"It was unsolicited" means something was given or done without being asked for, while "it was unwanted" means it was not desired. An unsolicited gift isn't necessarily unwanted, and vice versa.