solicit pledges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit pledges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting or seeking commitments, often in the context of fundraising or support for a cause. Example: "The organization aims to solicit pledges from community members to support the new initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They are running to solicit pledges from friends and strangers, via crowdrise.com/familiesofflight93.com/familiesofflight93

The New York Times - Sports

Pierson also noted that WNYC, a public-TV station that has used former "Dark Shadows" actors to solicit pledges, did not find a $12,500 donation from the "Dark Shadows" Festival undesirable.

The New Yorker

Participants are also invited to solicit pledges from others to turn in the day of the event.

Los Angeles Times

Along with sites like IndieGoGo and Rocket Hub Kickstarter allows you to post detailed proposals online and solicit pledges to make them happen.

Huffington Post

Participants will take turns at the gym's six basketball hoops and can either solicit pledges for each basket they make or turn in a flat donation.

Los Angeles Times

Saturday, Franssen plans to bring Zuzu and Sadie to the Dog-A-Thon fundraiser, in which owners are invited to solicit pledges and walk their dogs on a one-mile route through downtown Huntington Beach.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The committee is soliciting pledges of financing.

The New York Times

The final installment solicited pledges from readers to fight racism; the names of 22,000 respondents were later published in a special supplement.

The New York Times

The officials, who spoke anonymously because they were discussing internal NATO deliberations, would say only that they were making "good progress" in soliciting pledges.

The New York Times

To that end, Dr. Bisakha Sen, who is leading the ongoing gun research effort at the school, is soliciting pledges on Microryza, which is a kind of Kickstarter for scientific research grants.

The New York Times

No one noticed; they worked for a public-radio station, in the fund-raising department, and were surrounded by people who spent all day on the phone, soliciting pledges.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "solicit pledges", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the pledges are for, whether it's financial contributions, support for a cause, or other forms of commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "solicit pledges" in informal contexts where a more casual phrase like "ask for support" or "seek donations" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit pledges" functions as a verb phrase, where "solicit" is a transitive verb and "pledges" is its direct object. It describes the action of actively seeking or requesting commitments or promises. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used in contexts related to fundraising and gaining support.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solicit pledges" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of requesting commitments, often in the context of fundraising or seeking support. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "request commitments" or "seek donations" exist, "solicit pledges" maintains a specific nuance of formally seeking promises, especially in financial or support-related contexts. Usage patterns show this phrase frequently appears in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" settings, suggesting a neutrally formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request commitments

Emphasizes a formal request for dedication or agreement, shifting from seeking promises to seeking concrete actions.

gather promises

Highlights the act of collecting assurances or commitments, changing the verb but retaining the focus on future actions.

seek donations

Specifically focuses on gathering monetary contributions, narrowing the scope from general pledges to financial support.

canvass for support

Implies a more active and widespread effort to gain backing, suggesting a broader campaign of persuasion.

appeal for contributions

Suggests a persuasive request for assistance, often with an emotional or urgent tone.

call for backers

Invites individuals or groups to provide support, changing the noun from pledges to backers.

ask for endorsements

Focuses on obtaining public approval or support, rather than general commitments or funds.

obtain guarantees

Emphasizes securing firm assurances, implying a higher level of certainty than simple pledges.

round up subscriptions

Specifically refers to collecting agreements for regular payments or services, such as magazine subscriptions.

accrue funding

Focuses on the accumulation of financial resources, implying a gradual process of gathering funds over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "solicit pledges" to describe the act of requesting or seeking commitments, often for fundraising or support. For example: "The organization launched a campaign to solicit pledges from community members."

What is a good alternative to "solicit pledges"?

Alternatives include "request commitments", "seek donations", or "gather promises", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "solicit pledges"?

It is appropriate in contexts where you're formally requesting commitments or contributions, often in fundraising, political campaigns, or organized support efforts. It is suitable in news reporting and media communications.

What is the difference between "solicit pledges" and "ask for donations"?

"Solicit pledges" implies a more formal and structured approach to seeking commitments, while "ask for donations" is more direct and can be used in a wider range of contexts. Donations are often monetary, while pledges can represent various forms of support.