solicit counsel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit counsel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when seeking advice or guidance from someone, typically in a formal or legal context. Example: "Before making a final decision, it is wise to solicit counsel from a legal expert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recently, he had been soliciting counsel from an array of eminences (Bill Clinton, Robert Rubin, Jerry Speyer) and old Albany hands.

The New Yorker

Later, on the campaign trail, I watched him solicit the same counsel from random stragglers on the rope line.

The New York Times - Magazine

Be careful to avoid anchoring your advisers, consultants, and others from whom you solicit information and counsel.

Harvard Business Review

When a judge is busily soliciting loans from counsel to one party, and not telling the opposing counsel (let alone the public), he is concealing material information in violation of his fiduciary obligations.

Cornell University

When Wal-Mart's general counsel solicited a bid for such an investigation, a respected law firm proposed a three-month investigation.

Harvard Business Review

In the previous installment, we discussed the importance of both planning for the strategic growth of your consultancy and soliciting solid legal counsel on potentially tricky situations.

Science Magazine

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is soliciting outside legal counsel to pursue a consumer fraud lawsuit against the beleaguered blood testing startup Theranos, according to a document posted on the state's procurement website.

TechCrunch

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is soliciting outside legal counsel to pursue a consumer fraud lawsuit against the beleaguered blood testing startup Theranos, according to a document posted on the state's procurement website.

TechCrunch

And while there's no rule or even norm against soliciting the outside counsel of your famous friends as president, Trump's moves often seem driven by whatever his buddies tell him about something, whether that something is who to pardon or how to approach national energy policy.

Vice

"The F.E.C. last year correctly recognized that members of Congress are not free to solicit large contributions to super PACs," said Donald Simon, counsel to Democracy 21. "It must now enforce the law against what appears to be a clear violation of it by Representative Schock.

The New York Times

Done the Cloverpop way, a coach might solicit the indecisive to pay the twenty-nine bucks for personalized counsel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicit counsel", consider the formality of the context. In formal or legal settings, it's highly appropriate. In more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "seek advice".

Common error

Avoid using "solicit counsel" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ask for advice" or "get guidance" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit counsel" functions as a verb phrase where "solicit" is the verb (meaning to ask for something from someone) and "counsel" is a noun (meaning advice or guidance). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solicit counsel" is a grammatically sound way to express the act of seeking advice or guidance, particularly in formal settings. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable phrase, with alternatives like "seek advice" and "request guidance" available for less formal contexts. While not exceedingly common, its use in news, academic, and business spheres underscores its appropriateness in professional environments. Be mindful of the register and choose the phrase that best suits your intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek advice

Replaces "solicit" with the more common verb "seek".

request guidance

Substitutes "counsel" with "guidance", offering a broader term for direction.

ask for advice

Uses a simpler and more direct phrasing.

consult an advisor

Emphasizes seeking advice from a professional.

obtain guidance

Replaces "solicit" with "obtain", focusing on the acquisition of guidance.

get counsel

Shortens "solicit" to "get", making it more informal.

seek expert opinion

Specifies that the counsel is sought from an expert.

ask for recommendations

Focuses on seeking specific suggestions or endorsements.

seek professional advice

Highlights the professional nature of the advice being sought.

request input

Uses a broader term, "input", to encompass various forms of feedback and advice.

FAQs

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

You can use "solicit counsel" to indicate seeking advice or guidance, typically from a professional or expert. For example: "Before making a major decision, it's wise to solicit counsel from a qualified attorney."

What's a more common way to say "solicit counsel"?

Alternatives to "solicit counsel" include phrases like "seek advice", "request guidance", or simply "ask for advice" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "solicit counsel"?

"Solicit counsel" is best used in formal or professional settings where you're seeking expert advice or guidance. It is common in legal, business, and academic contexts.

Is "solicit counsel" more formal than "ask for advice"?

Yes, "solicit counsel" is generally considered more formal than "ask for advice". The former implies a more structured or official request for guidance.