solicit their opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicit their opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask for someone's thoughts or feedback on a particular matter or topic. Example: "Before making a final decision, we should solicit their opinion on the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In their study, 249 parents/caregivers and adult patients with an MPS disorder who were part of MPS support groups in the United States and Australia were surveyed to solicit their opinion of whether to initiate ERT based on a hypothetical phenotype and hypothetical response to ERT.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To evaluate urban youths' use of and access to technology and solicit their opinions about using technology with healthcare providers.

The Journal of Pediatrics

He would solicit their opinions; they would call for executions, as they knew they were expected to.

The New Yorker

So exacting are the demands of Korean customers that Western firms often solicit their opinions of new products before launching them.

The Economist

Then ask the second group to read the article in addition to looking at the related graphics and visuals, and solicit their opinions.

The New York Times

It was my job to look after and cajole the audience, and solicit their opinions on the talking points of the day, which formed the basis of the show.

Independent

This comprehensive approach addresses some of the challenges of designing zoning for a cross-border, multi-jurisdictional MPA such as varying levels of information between countries, limited cooperation between managers and scientists, differing statutory regimes, and difficulties bringing stakeholders together to solicit their opinions.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Several contributors say Mr. Cuomo calls frequently to chat and solicit their opinions on weighty matters like campaign finance reform, public education and the use of modern technology both before and after they have given, and he has held several small thank-you parties for people who have already written checks.

The New York Times

Back in the old days (last year), companies actually paid customers to solicit their opinions.

Forbes

Recommendations for the best new ski spots are frequently shared between fellow enthusiasts, so a good strategy is to befriend ski bums on- or off-line and solicit their opinions.

Forbes

She should solicit their opinions on what could be done differently, and promise to implement enough changes to raise that evaluation by a full letter grade in her first year in office.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for inclusivity, use "solicit their opinion" to ensure every voice is heard and valued in decision-making processes.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "their opinion was solicited" when active constructions like "we should solicit their opinion" are more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicit their opinion" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of seeking someone's viewpoint. It is typically used to denote a formal or official request for input, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solicit their opinion" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed phrase that serves to formally request someone's viewpoint, found primarily in news, science, and business contexts. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity and provides diverse examples of its use. When using this phrase, aim for direct, active voice constructions to avoid passive tones. Alternatives like "request their feedback" or "ask for their input" can be used depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request their feedback

Focuses on obtaining specific reactions or suggestions.

ask for their input

Emphasizes the contribution the person makes.

seek their advice

Highlights the advisory nature of the opinion.

get their perspective

Focuses on understanding their point of view.

consult them for their view

Highlights the act of consulting as the way to obtain their position.

canvass their views

Implies a more thorough and inclusive process of gathering opinions.

invite their comments

Focuses on encouraging them to share their remarks.

sound them out

Suggests a cautious or discreet approach to gauging their opinion.

ascertain their thoughts

Emphasizes determining or establishing their opinion.

find out what they think

A more informal way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "solicit their opinion" in a sentence?

You can use "solicit their opinion" when you need to formally or officially ask someone for their thoughts or views on a particular topic. For example: "Before implementing the new policy, we must "solicit their opinion"." You could also say "ask for their input".

What's a formal alternative to "solicit their opinion"?

Alternatives include "request their feedback", "seek their advice", or "invite their comments". Each maintains a professional tone while emphasizing different aspects of gathering information.

Is there a difference between "solicit their opinion" and "ask their opinion"?

"Solicit their opinion" is generally more formal and implies a structured or official process of seeking input, whereas "ask their opinion" is more casual and direct.

When is it appropriate to "solicit their opinion" rather than simply asking?

It's appropriate to "solicit their opinion" when you want to emphasize the importance of the input, or when you are following a protocol that requires gathering feedback, for example in surveys, formal consultations, or official reviews.