was not solicited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not solicited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not requested or asked for, often in contexts involving feedback, offers, or information. Example: "The feedback provided by the customer was not solicited, but it was appreciated nonetheless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Some criticized the government's decision to spend about $6 million on a program that was not solicited through an open bidding process.

The New York Times

He cites an official statement put out earlier today by the space agency saying that the study "was not solicited, directed or reviewed by Nasa.

The Guardian

The answer was not solicited by Broussard, who had done so much hard work, and deserved to be in that position.

The New York Times

20th Century Industries said that the offer was not solicited and that it was "satisfied with the present balance of ownership arrangements". As of Dec. 31, 20th Century had 51.6 million common shares outstanding.

The New York Times

Poppy was relegated to the sidelines, an ex-president whose advice was not solicited even when his son went to war with the same Iraqi dictator whom 41 had trounced and contained.

The New York Times

The unusual statement was not solicited by the White House, according to Shawn Turner, the spokesman for Mr. Clapper, the director of national intelligence, but it seemed calculated to relieve some of the pressure on the White House for the contradictory accounts given in the two and a half weeks since the attack.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He was not soliciting a prostitute.

The Economist

Donald J. Trump suggested he was not soliciting campaign contributions.

The New York Times

But Mr. Gulotta said he was not soliciting bids, especially since the agency is such a reliable cash cow.

The New York Times

It was estimated according to their file that 7 of them (40%) harbored severity signs at the initial ED evaluation, but the intensivist wasn't solicited.

Annals of Intensive Care

Suggestions about Room 7021 are not solicited.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not solicited" to clearly indicate that information, advice, or an offer was provided without being requested, emphasizing its unexpected or voluntary nature.

Common error

Avoid using "was not solicited" when you simply mean something was not received. "Solicited" implies an active request, so ensure the context aligns with something being offered without a prior request.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not solicited" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was received or occurred without being specifically requested or asked for. Ludwig AI examples show it often modifies nouns like 'advice', 'information', or 'bids'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not solicited" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something was offered or occurred without being requested. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various authoritative sources, particularly in news and scientific domains. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it serves a specific purpose in emphasizing the unexpected or voluntary nature of information, advice, or offers. Alternative phrases like "was unsolicited" or "was not requested" can be used for similar effect, depending on the desired nuance. It's essential to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsolicited

Implies that something was offered or given without being asked for.

was not requested

Directly states that something was not asked for.

was not asked for

Equivalent to "was not requested", simple and direct.

was not sought

Indicates that something was not actively looked for or pursued.

was uninvited

Suggests something occurred without an invitation or request.

was not invited

Similar to 'uninvited', emphasizes the lack of an invitation.

was not called for

Suggests that something was unnecessary or inappropriate.

came without prompting

Indicates that something happened without any encouragement or initiation.

was freely offered

Emphasizes the voluntary nature of the offering, differing slightly in focus.

was tendered voluntarily

Highlights the voluntary submission of something.

FAQs

How can I use "was not solicited" in a sentence?

You can use "was not solicited" to indicate that information, advice, or an offer was given without being asked for. For example, "The feedback was not solicited, but it proved valuable."

What's a formal alternative to "was not solicited"?

A more formal alternative is "was unrequested" or "was not requested". These phrases maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is "was not solicited" the same as "was not invited"?

While related, they're not identical. "Was not solicited" implies something was offered without being asked, whereas "was not invited" suggests a lack of invitation, often in a social context.

What are some common situations where I might use "was not solicited"?

You might use "was not solicited" when discussing unsolicited advice, unrequested feedback, or offers that came without prior inquiry.