solicited

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "solicited" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a verb to mean to ask for or try to obtain something from someone. Example sentence: Joe solicited a donation from his neighbors for the charity event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But research suggests that the public does not like being solicited by phone.

The Guardian - Opinion

EightByFive is said to have solicited illicit political donations and funded election campaigns for central coast Liberal MPs Darren Webber and Chris Spence in return for favours from Hartcher.

The Guardian

In July, police arrested Lord Levy, the prime minister's chief fundraiser, who is understood to have solicited the loans from the businessmen.

The Guardian

Nathaniel Rothschild, a financier at whose villa Mr Osborne stayed during part of his Corfu holiday, alleged in a letter to the Times that Mr Osborne and Andrew Feldman, the Conservative Party's chief executive, had solicited a donation from Mr Deripaska.

The Economist

Ultimate responsibility for these choices always rests with the editor, but opinions are solicited from the entire editorial staff, which usually supplies several correspondents with relevant expertise.

The Economist

The grounds were that she had solicited donations for a clinic without getting council approval.Ms Fire Thunder, a former nurse and the tribe's first female president, claims that Sacred Choices would not perform abortions but merely offer contraceptive advice.

The Economist

The coalition has solicited pitches from at least four advertising firms.

The Economist

That said, it would also be irresponsible for the administration to ignore the reconstruction needs of a country that it intended to deconstruct.If, as rumours suggest, bids have been solicited for reconstruction work only from American companies, that would not be illegal or even unusual, especially on defence-related contracts though it would not be good politics.

The Economist

His views were solicited by someone up the chain of command (it is not known who).

The Economist

They solicited 150 suggestions online for a snappy title.

The Economist

A day earlier, the Washington Post had published an unflattering account of Mr Gore's role in raising campaign money: the vice-president had hosted 23 coffee meetings for contributors in the White House, and had solicited donations on the telephone as well.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solicited" when you want to convey a formal or deliberate request. For instance, in business contexts, you might say, "The company solicited bids from various vendors."

Common error

Avoid using "solicited" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Instead of saying, "I solicited my friend for help", opt for "I asked my friend for help".

Linguistic Context

The word "solicited" primarily functions as a verb, specifically the past tense or past participle of "solicit". It indicates the action of asking for or trying to obtain something from someone, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solicited" functions as a verb to describe formally requesting something. It appears frequently in news and business contexts, lending itself to formal and professional communications. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though its formality means it's less suited for casual settings. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing between "solicited" and more casual alternatives like "asked for" or "requested".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested

Emphasizes a direct act of asking for something, often implying a formal context.

asked for

A more general way to express requesting something, applicable in various contexts.

sought

Suggests a more deliberate and active pursuit of something, implying effort.

invited

Implies a formal or polite request, often for participation or attendance.

appealed for

Highlights a plea or urgent request, often for help or support.

canvassed for

Refers to systematically seeking support or votes from a group of people.

petitioned for

Involves a formal written request signed by multiple people.

beckoned

Suggests a non-verbal invitation or call, often with gestures.

courted

Implies attempts to gain favor or support, often in a political or business context.

enticed

Suggests attracting or persuading someone, often with the promise of something desirable.

FAQs

How is "solicited" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "solicited" is used as the past tense or past participle of the verb "solicit", meaning to ask for or try to obtain something from someone. For example, "The charity "solicited donations" from local businesses".

What are some alternatives to using "solicited"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "requested", "asked for", or "sought" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to express.

What's the difference between "solicited" and "requested"?

"Solicited" often implies a more proactive or formal attempt to obtain something, whereas "requested" is a more general term for asking for something. Soliciting can also suggest persuasion or enticement.

Is it appropriate to use "solicited" in casual conversations?

While grammatically correct, using "solicited" in casual conversations might sound overly formal or pretentious. In informal settings, using simpler alternatives like "asked" or "got" is generally more appropriate.