soliciting

USAGE SUMMARY

'soliciting' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb which means to ask or make an appeal for something. Example sentence: The charity sent out letters soliciting donations for their fundraising campaign.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The councillor is making his rounds, quietly soliciting from his neighbours their troubles and concerns.

The Guardian

"It is impossible to see how they are soliciting funds the way they're soliciting, and putting those funds in their political action committee, without violating the law".

The Guardian

Under the new legislation, 'passive soliciting', i.e. walking the pavement, as well as 'active soliciting', is now illegal.

The Guardian

Last year, Dutch artist Dries Verhoeven put himself in a glass box inside a Berlin theatre, soliciting strangers on gay hook-up app Grindr.

The Guardian - Arts

It is not illegal for individuals to buy or sell sex from each other but soliciting and sex workers working together as a group are illegal.

The Guardian

Without Daniel Day-Lewis's great performance, this would be a rather tentative piece of work, nervously soliciting the approval of black audiences.

The Guardian - Film

Specifying someone displaying "a track record of visionary leadership", and combining "experience in attracting and retaining creative people" with "personal resilience", the BBC's job ad seems almost to be soliciting an application from the man who co-wrote Extending Choice, oversaw the rise of Chris Evans, and was prepared to take the flak as Radio 1's ratings went into freefall.

The Guardian

Or is it Gary Barlow of Take That, in his suit and tie, conscientiously following his accountant's advice to invest in a tax avoidance scheme, while soliciting other people's money for charity and denying the most vulnerable members of society the benefit of his personal financial contribution?

The Guardian - Opinion

Blazer was accused of soliciting a bribe for Warner as long ago as 1992, from the bid committee seeking to have Morocco selected as the host for the 1998 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

As in the UK, prostitution itself is legal but soliciting and living on illegal earnings are not.

The Guardian

Paul is even soliciting information on Clinton Foundation donations through his campaign website.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soliciting", be mindful of the context to avoid unintended negative connotations. For instance, "soliciting" can sometimes imply unwanted or aggressive approaches, especially in commercial or personal interactions. Clarify your intent to ensure clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "soliciting" interchangeably with words like "requesting" or "asking". "Soliciting" often implies a deliberate and sometimes persistent effort to obtain something, whether it's funds, support, or services. Using it inappropriately can misrepresent the nature of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "soliciting" is a verb, often used as a present participle or gerund. It describes the action of asking for or trying to obtain something from someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soliciting" is a versatile verb that refers to the act of asking for or seeking something, often with a deliberate and sometimes persistent effort. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and commonly used word in English. It's prevalent in news and business contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While grammatically sound, it's important to be aware of its potential negative connotations, such as in the context of illegal activities. To avoid misinterpretations, consider alternatives like "requesting" or "seeking" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of the context to ensure your communication is clear and appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting

Focuses on the act of asking for something formally or politely, differing from "soliciting" which can imply a more active or persistent approach.

seeking

Emphasizes the act of looking for something, whether tangible or intangible, differing from "soliciting" which implies actively asking for something from others.

canvassing

Specifically refers to seeking support or votes, often in a political context, differing from the broader application of "soliciting".

courting

Implies trying to gain favor or support, often in a business or romantic context, adding a layer of intentional persuasion not always present in "soliciting".

inviting

Suggests a formal request or offer, contrasting with "soliciting" which can sometimes carry a connotation of urgency or need.

appealing

Focuses on making an emotional or persuasive request, highlighting the reason or justification behind the request, which is a subtle difference from "soliciting".

begging

Emphasizes a humble or desperate request, conveying a sense of need that is not always implied by "soliciting".

entreating

Implies a sincere and earnest request, often with a sense of urgency or importance, adding emotional weight to the act of asking compared to "soliciting".

petitioning

Refers to making a formal written request, often to an authority, which is a more structured and official approach than simply "soliciting".

procuring

Suggests obtaining something through effort or persuasion, often implying a degree of difficulty or negotiation, which is a subtle difference from the directness of "soliciting".

FAQs

How can I use "soliciting" in a sentence?

You can use "soliciting" to describe the act of requesting or seeking something, such as "The organization is "soliciting donations" for its annual campaign" or "He was accused of "soliciting bribes" from contractors".

What's the difference between "soliciting" and "requesting"?

"Soliciting" often implies a more active, persistent, or even commercial approach to obtaining something, whereas "requesting" is generally a more neutral or formal act of asking. For instance, companies "solicit feedback", while individuals might request information.

What are some alternatives to "soliciting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "seeking", "requesting", "canvassing", or "courting". Each of these carries slightly different nuances.

Is "soliciting" always legal?

No, "soliciting" can be illegal in certain contexts, such as "soliciting prostitution" or "soliciting without a permit" in restricted areas. The legality depends on the specific activity being solicited and the applicable laws.