solicit help

USAGE SUMMARY

"solicit help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking for help from someone or some group. Example: The charity is soliciting help from volunteers to build the new addition to the homeless shelter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The memo appeared to solicit help in stopping a possible coup by the humiliated Pakistani military.

The New York Times

Poor people invoke feudal and clan allegiances to solicit help from the better-off.

The Economist

"It helps build our database, share information, solicit help – to grow the electorate".

The Guardian

Buying a home can be so time-consuming that it makes sense to solicit help.

The New York Times

They had also met with mayors and businesspeople to solicit help for the island.

The New Yorker

Aware of the colony collapse phenomenon, the owners solicit help in getting the bees moved to a new location.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Mr. Curry unabashedly solicited help from everyone at the news conference.

The New York Times - Arts

Soliciting help from neighbouring civilians, Dunant organized care for the soldiers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The institute's director, James Halpern, began a recent lecture by soliciting help for flood victims further upstate, in Plattsburgh.

The New York Times

Twice recently, the administration has solicited help from Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, to deliver messages to Islamabad to help defuse crises in the relationship.

The New York Times

The group had to scrape to raise the $60,000 for the trip by selling trinkets, soliciting help from richer tribes, and using a Facebook page.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicit help", specify the type of help you need for a clearer and more effective request. For example, "solicit help with fundraising" is more specific than simply "solicit help".

Common error

Avoid using "solicit help" without context. Always clarify what kind of help is being requested to prevent confusion and increase the likelihood of receiving appropriate assistance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "solicit help" is a verb phrase indicating the action of requesting assistance. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English and can be used when asking for help from someone or some group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solicit help" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that means to formally request assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly when seeking aid from organizations or groups. While appropriate across various contexts, it's often found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. For alternatives, consider "request assistance" or "seek support". When using "solicit help", ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the help needed to enhance the effectiveness of your request.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Request assistance

Replaces "solicit" with the more direct "request" and "help" with "assistance" offering a slightly more formal tone.

Seek support

Substitutes "solicit" with "seek" and "help" with "support", providing a more general sense of needing aid.

Ask for aid

Uses the simpler term "ask" in place of "solicit" and "aid" instead of "help" resulting in a more straightforward expression.

Appeal for assistance

Employs "appeal" to convey a stronger sense of urgency or need when seeking assistance.

Call for aid

Similar to "appeal for assistance", "call for aid" suggests a public or urgent request for help.

Enlist aid

Implies actively engaging or recruiting others to provide assistance.

Seek a helping hand

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the need for assistance.

Obtain assistance

Focuses on the outcome of receiving help rather than the act of requesting it.

Procure support

Similar to "obtain assistance", but with a slightly more formal or official tone.

Get help

The simplest and most direct way to express the need for assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "solicit help" when you are asking for assistance from someone or a group. For example, "The organization is soliciting help from volunteers."

What are some alternatives to "solicit help"?

You can use alternatives like "request assistance", "seek support", or "ask for aid".

Is it appropriate to use "solicit help" in formal writing?

Yes, "solicit help" is appropriate for formal writing. However, depending on the context, phrases like "request assistance" or "enlist aid" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "solicit help" and "ask for help"?

"Solicit help" is generally more formal than "ask for help". "Solicit" implies a more deliberate or organized effort to obtain assistance.