solicit recommendations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit recommendations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking for suggestions or advice from others, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "As part of our project, we would like to solicit recommendations from industry experts to improve our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They also cultivate employee participation in some problem solving and solicit recommendations for improving the workplace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And now that the administration has suggested it will make no policy determination until after Afghanistan's presidential runoff, there is plenty of time to solicit recommendations from the front.

The New York Times

But a handful of small liberal arts colleges actually solicit recommendations, if you can call them that, from the families of applicants — as another window into an applicant's character.

The New York Times

The tenant association is holding a forum on Saturday to solicit recommendations and to explain the plan to residents of the complexes, which sit between 14th and 23rd Streets and First Avenue and the East River.

The New York Times

Job-hunters can also use their networks to gather intelligence about prospective employers and to solicit recommendations that strengthen their candidacies, and they can benefit from some of the career tools that networks provide.

The Economist

The judging for the new prizes will happen in two stages, Mr. Kokot explained: a steering committee will solicit recommendations from a group of nominators, and  the final selection will be made by a panel consisting of Mr. Kokot; Jeffrey Peabody, his co-executor; and two longtime friends of Mr. Windham, Robert A, Wilson, a rare-book dealer, and Bruce Kellner, a retired English professor.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Coll is alert to the comedy — and the pathos — of a system that leads high-school seniors to solicit recommendation letters from their pediatricians.

The New Yorker

The chairman of the board solicited recommendations from J. Richard Gott, a member of the astrophysics department at Princeton.

The New Yorker

Early in the Long Island Transportation 2000 study, sponsored by the Department of Transportation, the agency solicited recommendations, including cross-Sound bridges (Oyster Bay-Rye, Shoreham-New Haven).

The New York Times

But the government, which has solicited recommendations from farm groups on how to streamline the program, must not let industry lobbyists dictate the changes.

The New York Times

"The longer people are enrolled, the more it costs, and if students have to borrow, it drives up their debt load," says Sally L. Stroup, head of the office of postsecondary education at the Department of Education, which has been soliciting recommendations on what role the federal government can play in spurring students to graduate sooner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicit recommendations", be clear about the type of recommendations you're seeking and from whom. Specify the criteria for the recommendations to ensure you receive relevant and useful input.

Common error

Avoid using "solicit" in casual conversations or informal requests. Simpler alternatives like "ask for" or "get" are more appropriate for everyday interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit recommendations" functions as a verb phrase where "solicit" is a transitive verb taking "recommendations" as its direct object. This phrase is used to describe the act of formally requesting or seeking suggestions or advice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solicit recommendations" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, primarily employed in formal and professional contexts. It describes the act of formally requesting or seeking advice and suggestions from others. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is somewhat uncommon compared to simpler alternatives like "ask for recommendations". Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains, it conveys a deliberate and formal request for input. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide clear guidelines for the recommendations you're seeking. Alternatives such as "request recommendations" or "seek recommendations" can be used in more general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Request recommendations

Replaces "solicit" with a more common and less formal synonym, "request".

Seek recommendations

Uses "seek" which suggests a more active search for recommendations.

Ask for recommendations

Employs a simple and direct way to ask for recommendations.

Gather recommendations

Focuses on the action of collecting recommendations.

Obtain recommendations

Implies that effort might be needed to get the recommendations.

Invite recommendations

Suggests an open call for people to provide recommendations.

Call for recommendations

Emphasizes the act of formally requesting recommendations, often publicly.

Source recommendations

Highlights the act of identifying and obtaining recommendations from a specific origin.

Canvass for recommendations

Implies a systematic and thorough solicitation of recommendations from a wide range of sources.

Procure recommendations

Indicates a formal and often complex process of acquiring recommendations, often in a professional or business context.

FAQs

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

You can use "solicit recommendations" to formally request advice or suggestions. For instance: "The committee decided to solicit recommendations from industry experts before making a final decision."

What are some alternatives to "solicit recommendations"?

Alternatives include "request recommendations", "seek recommendations", or "ask for recommendations", depending on the context.

Is "solicit recommendations" too formal for casual use?

Yes, "solicit recommendations" is generally considered formal. In more casual contexts, consider using alternatives like "ask for recommendations" or "get recommendations".

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

"Solicit recommendations" implies a more formal and deliberate request, often in a professional setting. "Ask for recommendations" is a more general and informal way to request suggestions.