solicitation

USAGE SUMMARY

'solicitation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of asking for something, especially money, in an urgent or persistent manner. For example, "The charity worker was using aggressive solicitation tactics to get us to donate money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I said, 'Well, Colonel, how many salesmen do you have out in the field?' And he said, 'Oh, we don't solicit — we don't believe in solicitation.' I was flabbergasted.

The New Yorker

But the number of prosecutions of charities, or third-party agencies, for flouting rules on solicitation from donors?

The Guardian - Opinion

To misrepresent a solicitation in this way verges on fraud, attorneys say.

The Guardian

Avoiding the perception of impropriety in the administration of justice is a compelling state goal, he writes, and banning personal solicitation by judicial candidates is a narrowly tailored strategy for advancing it.

The Economist

Shortly after having her son, she received a solicitation for insurance that would protect him.

The Economist

Within an hour of the formal solicitation of bids by institutional investors, the entire order book had been filled.

The Economist

Most such theft now occurs through the solicitation or theft of someone's bank or credit-card details.

The Economist

The SIB has decided that a website alone, whether or not it is aimed specifically at Britons, may amount to solicitation if customers can reach the site from their computers.

The Economist

While solicitation is illegal, men who visit prostitutes are not usually punished, whereas prostitutes rounded up in periodic sweeps by police can be sent to education-through-labour camps for up to two years.Last week, a video of a policeman interviewing naked girls in a raid on a Beijing health club suspected of operating as a brothel provoked over 73,000 comments on a Chinese website.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Given the manifest adequacy of the alternatives, it is not very clear to me why the government offers a credit-card-solicitation-delivery service sort of subsidised by a monopoly on first-class mail.

The Economist

Both companies have previously claimed that their non-solicitation policies were implemented at the same time coincidentally.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicitation", be specific about what is being requested (e.g., "solicitation of donations", "solicitation of bids") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "solicitation", which means asking for something, with "solicitous", which means showing concern or care. For example, don't say "He was solicitation about her health" when you mean "He was solicitous about her health".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "solicitation" is that of a noun. It typically refers to the act of asking for or trying to obtain something from someone. Ludwig provides various examples showcasing its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solicitation" functions as a noun denoting the act of requesting or seeking something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from formal business solicitations to charitable appeals, primarily appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science-related sources. While generally neutral to formal, awareness of context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. Furthermore, recognizing related terms like "request for contributions" and avoiding confusion with "solicitous" enhances clarity in writing. The wealth of examples available through Ludwig provides writers with a solid foundation for accurate and effective use of the word in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request for contributions

Emphasizes the act of asking for donations or support, specifically focusing on contributions.

appeal for donations

Highlights the emotional aspect of requesting money, often for charitable causes.

seeking support

Highlights the action of looking for assistance or backing, broadening the context beyond monetary requests.

invitation to bid

Refers specifically to the process of formally requesting offers for a project or service.

canvassing for votes

Focuses on the act of seeking votes or political support from the public.

application process

Describes the procedure of formally requesting something, such as a job or admission.

outreach efforts

Encompasses a broader range of activities aimed at connecting with and requesting something from a specific group.

tendering process

Specifically refers to the formal submission of offers for contracts or projects.

seeking patronage

Implies looking for support from wealthy or influential individuals.

making an offer

Refers to the act of presenting something for acceptance or rejection, which can be seen as a form of solicitation.

FAQs

How can I use "solicitation" in a sentence?

You can use "solicitation" to refer to the act of asking for something, especially money or support. For example, "The company engaged in aggressive "solicitation of funds" from investors."

What are some alternatives to the word "solicitation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "request", "appeal", or "invitation". For example, instead of "solicitation of donations", you could say "appeal for donations".

Is there a negative connotation to the word "solicitation"?

The word "solicitation" itself isn't inherently negative, but it can become negative depending on the context and methods used. For example, aggressive or fraudulent "fundraising solicitation" can be viewed negatively.

What is the legal definition of "solicitation"?

In law, "solicitation" often refers to the act of requesting or urging someone to commit a crime. For instance, "solicitation of a bribe" is a criminal offense.