was solicited by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was solicited by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something requested or sought out assistance, input, or participation from another party. Example: "The proposal for the new project was solicited by the management team to gather diverse perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

His opinion was solicited by a reporter.

The New Yorker

Rather than taking in a show, he was solicited by the stars of the shows.

The New York Times - Sports

The official would not say if the "outside party" was solicited by the government or offered an unsolicited technical suggestion.

The Guardian - Tech

In 1130 Lothar's support was solicited by two rival candidates for the papacy, Innocent II and Anacletus II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The article was solicited by the man who, five years later, wrote the Times' review of "On the Road," Gilbert Millstein).

The New Yorker

But the ambassador's confidential cable, which officials said was solicited by the White House, infuriated General McChrystal's aides, who said he had never expressed those views to the general, even though they met, on average, three times a week.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

None of the proposals had been solicited by the National Science Foundation.

The New York Times

"Denise Rich's contributions were solicited by others," Mr. McAuliffe said.

The New York Times

Cromwell is solicited by the "True Faith" party.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

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

The Economist

"Oftentimes, the investors are retired, not financially savvy and are solicited by brokers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was solicited by" when you want to emphasize that someone or something actively sought out input, assistance, or participation from another party. It's suitable for formal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was solicited by" when the active voice is more appropriate. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. If the actor is important, rephrase the sentence to use the active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was solicited by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a request or invitation from an external agent. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was solicited by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction that indicates a request or invitation was initiated by someone. As supported by Ludwig, its usage is prevalent in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended formality and consider active voice alternatives for clarity. Common errors include overusing the passive voice when the active voice is more direct and impactful. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "was solicited by" to convey specific meanings in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was requested by

Replaces "solicited" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of asking.

was invited by

Emphasizes the welcoming aspect of the request.

was asked for by

Highlights that something specific was requested.

was sought after by

Suggests a proactive search for the input or participation.

was pursued by

Implies a persistent effort to obtain something.

was approached by

Focuses on the act of initiating contact to request something.

was called upon by

Indicates a formal or official request for assistance.

was appealed to by

Suggests an emotional or persuasive request.

was canvassed by

Suggests a systematic and thorough solicitation.

was propositioned by

Highlights a formal suggestion or proposal.

FAQs

How to use "was solicited by" in a sentence?

The phrase "was solicited by" indicates that a request or invitation was initiated. For example, "The ambassador's confidential cable "was solicited by the White House"." This means the White House requested the cable.

What can I say instead of "was solicited by"?

You can use alternatives like "was requested by", "was invited by", or "was sought by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "was solicited by" or "is solicited by"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Was solicited by" is past tense, indicating that the solicitation happened in the past. "Is solicited by" is present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual solicitation. For example, "The article "was solicited by" the editor" versus "The company "is solicited by" many vendors".

What is the difference between "was solicited by" and "was asked by"?

"Was solicited by" implies a more formal or proactive request than "was asked by". Soliciting often suggests a deliberate seeking out of something, whereas asking is a more general term. However, asking is more common and can fit everywhere "was solicited by" does.