solicit aid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit aid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting help or assistance from someone or an organization. Example: "In times of crisis, it is important to solicit aid from local charities and community organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

During the Lancaster House conference, Britain had proposed that, since the resources it was able to give Zimbabwe would be inadequate, it could help Zimbabwe sponsor a donors' conference to solicit aid for land development and reconstruction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He urged his brothers to break with the Corsican patriot Pasquale Paoli, and he headed a Corsican deputation that went to France to denounce Paoli and to solicit aid against him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1770 he became an agent for the colony of Massachusetts, and in 1776 he, Benjamin Franklin, and Silas Deane were appointed by the Continental Congress as commissioners to negotiate an alliance with France and to solicit aid from other European governments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Leaders of the Ghadr ("Revolution") party, which had been started by Punjabi Sikhs in 1913, journeyed abroad in search of arms and money to support their revolution, and Lala Har Dayal, the party's foremost leader, went to Berlin to solicit aid from the Central Powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By E. J. Kahn The New Yorker, July 22 , 1939P. 9 0Persofality of Countess Alexandra Lvovna Tolstoy, daughter of the author, and her plans to solicit aid for two million Russian refugees through the Tolstoy Foundation for Russian Welfare and Culture of which she is the head.

The New Yorker

The government attempted to solicit aid from the United States in the form of military intervention or war materiel (including two submarines and bombs capable of penetrating the armor of Almirante Latorre), but they were rebuffed both publicly and privately.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Alternative to conventional approaches that solicit aids from the generation side, operators can now leverage the demand-side resources through a variety of electricity market mechanisms to balance the active power and enhance system reliability.

Applied Energy

"They do not want the fall of this regime; that is why they are not helping," said Gen. Salim Idris, the head of the Free Syrian Army, a loosely knit umbrella group that has been soliciting aid and that is supposed to funnel it to vetted groups while keeping it from extremists.

The New York Times

In what was emblematic of the wider tensions over the issue of aid distribution, an argument broke out in the village between the soldiers, who said any foreigner was suspect, and the village headman, Myint Oo, who solicited aid from the visitor for the rebuilding of a school flattened by the cyclone.

The New York Times

Augustine was the prior of Gregory's own monastery in Rome and Gregory prepared the way for the mission by soliciting aid from the Frankish rulers along Augustine's route.

Wikipedia

He said that he had never intended to push the bill, and had discussed the idea merely to solicit community aid from the companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicit aid", specify the type of aid needed (e.g., financial, military, medical) for clarity.

Common error

While "solicit" is a valid word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "ask for" or "seek" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit aid" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of requesting or seeking assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It typically involves a deliberate effort to obtain support, whether financial, material, or otherwise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solicit aid" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of formally requesting assistance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, it is more formal than alternatives like "ask for help". The phrase is commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias, and other formal documents. When using "solicit aid", it's best to specify the type of aid needed to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "request assistance" or "seek help" can be used depending on the context. Overall, "solicit aid" is a valid and useful phrase when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request assistance

Replaces "solicit" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a direct request.

seek help

A simpler and more direct way to express the need for assistance.

appeal for support

Highlights the act of making a plea for aid, often in a persuasive manner.

ask for help

A straightforward and common alternative to "solicit aid".

seek assistance

Uses a more formal term, "assistance", instead of "aid".

call for assistance

Emphasizes a public or formal request for help.

entreat for aid

Implies a more earnest or urgent appeal for assistance.

petition for assistance

Suggests a formal request, often in writing.

canvass support

Focuses on gathering support from multiple sources.

pursue aid

Highlights the active pursuit of assistance from various avenues.

FAQs

What does "solicit aid" mean?

The phrase "solicit aid" means to ask for or seek help, support, or assistance, often in a formal or earnest manner. It implies a request for resources or assistance from others.

How can I use "solicit aid" in a sentence?

You can use "solicit aid" in sentences like: "The organization decided to "solicit aid" from international donors to support its humanitarian efforts" or "The government is planning to "solicit aid" from neighboring countries to address the crisis".

What are some alternatives to "solicit aid"?

Alternatives to "solicit aid" include "request assistance", "seek help", "appeal for support", or "ask for help". The choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to use "solicit aid" or "ask for help"?

While both phrases are correct, "solicit aid" is more formal and implies a deliberate and often public request for assistance. "Ask for help" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The best choice depends on the specific situation and audience.