solicited a letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solicited a letter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of formally requesting a letter from someone, often in a professional or official context. Example: "The committee solicited a letter of recommendation from each candidate to assess their qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They also solicited a letter of support from a neighbor across the hall.

The New Yorker

The Owenses, in what they hoped was a temporary exile in America, solicited a letter from ABC News to absolve them of responsibility for the shooting.

The New Yorker

Another instance in which CCIA solicited a letter wasn't successful.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In response, Hillard solicited a number of letters including from Mayor Emanuel, longtime powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, and former CPD Deputy Superintendent Charles Ramsey.

Huffington Post

In 1822 Jennings solicited a $1,000 personal loan from the Harmonists in a letter to his political ally, George Rapp, but his request was denied.

Wikipedia

The letter by Sudheendra which admonished Raj Thackeray for his "hate speech" solicited a response from Raj.

Wikipedia

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

We've never solicited a single player.

The New York Times

Mr. Tough promptly solicited a contribution.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1964, Carey McWilliams, editor of the liberal political weekly, the Nation, wrote the struggling freelance reporter a letter soliciting a story on the insurgent band of motorcycle outlaws called the Hell's Angels.

The Guardian - Books

When he received Monteith's letter soliciting a manuscript, it was, Heaney said, "like getting a letter from God the Father".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solicited a letter", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. While grammatically correct, "solicited" can sound formal. In less formal contexts, consider using "requested" or "asked for".

Common error

Avoid using "solicited a letter" in casual or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more conversational alternatives like "asked for a letter" or "requested a letter" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solicited a letter" functions as a verb phrase where 'solicited' is the main verb in the past tense, indicating an action of requesting something (a letter). Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English, often in a formal context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solicited a letter" denotes the act of formally requesting a letter from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. While grammatically sound, its formality suggests reserving it for professional or official contexts. As alternatives, phrases such as "requested a letter" or "asked for a letter" offer a more relaxed tone for informal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, with other contexts being Wiki and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested a letter

Replaces "solicited" with a more common synonym, making the phrase less formal.

sought a letter

Substitutes "solicited" with "sought", maintaining a formal tone.

asked for a letter

Uses simpler language, making it more accessible and less formal.

obtained a letter by request

Specifies that the letter was acquired through a request, emphasizing the result.

petitioned for a letter

Implies a formal or urgent request for the letter.

invited a letter

Suggests a more indirect approach to obtaining the letter.

prompted a letter

Highlights that something initiated the writing of the letter.

canvassed for a letter

Suggests a broad and systematic effort to gather letters.

encouraged the writing of a letter

Focuses on the act of encouraging someone to write the letter.

arranged to receive a letter

Indicates planning and preparation to get the letter.

FAQs

What does "solicited a letter" mean?

The phrase "solicited a letter" means to have formally asked someone to provide a letter, often for a specific purpose such as support, recommendation, or information.

What can I say instead of "solicited a letter"?

You can use alternatives like "requested a letter", "asked for a letter", or "sought a letter" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "solicited a letter"?

The phrase is appropriate in formal or professional contexts where a formal request for a letter was made. It is less suitable for informal situations.

What is the difference between "solicited a letter" and "asked for a letter"?

"Solicited a letter" implies a more formal or official request, whereas "asked for a letter" is a more general and informal way of saying the same thing.