solicit suggestions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit suggestions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone for ideas or advice. For example: "We would like to solicit suggestions from those who are familiar with the project to help improve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Dynegy said that it plans to solicit suggestions for new board members from its shareholders.

The New York Times

The effort, to begin on Monday, will solicit suggestions from the public along with public relations professionals, academics and students.

The New York Times

As the Health and Human Services Department began to solicit suggestions, a handful of states complained about being burdened by the welfare program's paperwork and reporting requirements.

The New York Times

The Free Word centre in London, which is staging a series of exhibitions and talks on politics and the Olympics throughout the summer, will also help solicit suggestions.

The Guardian - Sport

In April, the state sent out 2,500 questionnaires to businesses, environmental organizations, government agencies and randomly selected residents to solicit suggestions for more public swimming sites.

The New York Times

Besides making many of their own deliveries, the Moores send out e-mail newsletters with farmer profiles, recipes and food-storage tips, and solicit suggestions from a customer base that has gone to 200 from 50 in the last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

City Hall would like to see other, more lucrative industries move in, while the Fashion Center Business Improvement District, the neighborhood business association, is soliciting suggestions for a new name for the area and has suggested calling it the "fashion district".

The New York Times

The Reading Project is soliciting suggestions for stress-relieving books at the Twitter hashtag #moodboosting.

The New York Times

Mr. Spano solicited suggestions from orchestra, chorus and staff members at all levels, and even from trustees.

The New York Times - Arts

Impro is happening, and Paul Merton is soliciting suggestions from the crowd.

The Guardian

He started asking hotel concierges for recommendations and, sometimes, soliciting suggestions from strangers on the street.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicit suggestions", clearly define the scope or topic for which you are seeking input to ensure the suggestions are relevant and useful.

Common error

Avoid using "solicit suggestions" without specifying the context or purpose, as this can lead to unfocused and unhelpful feedback. Be specific about what kind of suggestions you're looking for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit suggestions" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "solicit" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object (suggestions). The verb indicates the action of requesting or seeking something, while the noun specifies what is being sought. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solicit suggestions" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for formally requesting ideas or advice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is often used in neutral to professional contexts, particularly within News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. While effective for conveying a structured request, consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Related phrases like "request input" or "seek advice" may offer suitable alternatives depending on the specific communication goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request input

This alternative replaces "suggestions" with "input", focusing on the act of seeking information or opinions.

seek advice

This alternative replaces "suggestions" with "advice", narrowing the scope to seeking guidance or recommendations.

invite ideas

This alternative emphasizes the act of inviting creative or innovative thoughts.

ask for ideas

Similar to "invite ideas", but more direct in its request for innovative thoughts or concepts.

ask for recommendations

This alternative is more direct, specifying that you are looking for endorsements or favorable mentions.

seek recommendations

Very similar to "ask for recommendations", this phrase emphasizes actively looking for endorsements.

gather feedback

This alternative focuses on collecting responses and opinions on a particular subject or matter.

gather ideas

This phrase highlights the process of assembling different concepts or thoughts.

canvass opinion

This alternative implies a more thorough and systematic collection of views and perspectives.

call for proposals

This alternative suggests a formal request for structured plans or solutions.

FAQs

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

You can use "solicit suggestions" when you want to formally request ideas or advice from someone. For example, "The company decided to solicit suggestions from its employees on how to improve workplace conditions."

What is a more formal way to say "solicit suggestions"?

More formal alternatives to "solicit suggestions" include phrases like "request input", "seek advice", or "invite ideas", which convey a similar meaning in a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "solicit suggestions" in casual conversation?

While "solicit suggestions" is generally suitable for formal contexts, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "ask for ideas" or "get your thoughts" in informal settings.

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

"Solicit suggestions" is a more formal and structured way of saying "ask for suggestions". "Solicit" implies a deliberate and often public request for ideas, while "ask" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.