were solicited

USAGE SUMMARY

"were solicited" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about seeking advice, assistance, or opinions from a particular group. For example, "local businesses were solicited for donations to the charity fundraiser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For safety reasons, only men were solicited.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

Several other directors and writers were solicited as well.

The New York Times

Volunteers were solicited to do this through the night.

The New York Times

(The donations for the flags were solicited on Facebook and GoFundMe).

The New Yorker

They were selected from submissions to the page, some of which were solicited by the editors.

The New York Times

Details of the contracts and whether other bids were solicited could not be obtained yesterday.

The New York Times

A number of teachers and principals said the letters were solicited by Mr. Dean.

The New York Times

In accordance with typical administrative procedure in the United States, comments on these regulations were solicited.

The New York Times

Bids were solicited, and the venture settled on a site in Mattoon, Ill.

The New York Times

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were solicited" to indicate that something was requested or sought out, often implying a degree of formality or intentionality. For example, use it when describing requests for proposals, donations, or feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "were solicited" when you mean to say information or a response was drawn out or evoked. "Solicited" implies an active request, whereas "elicited" means to draw forth or bring out something that might not have been readily apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were solicited" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received a request or was asked for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show it being used to indicate that volunteers, donations, comments, or bids were requested.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were solicited" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a passive construction, indicating a request was made. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase. Its usage is most common in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "were solicited" to express that something was actively sought after, while being careful not to confuse it with "elicited", which implies drawing something out rather than requesting it. For alternative phrasings, consider "were requested" or "were invited", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for formal and neutral communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were requested

Focuses on the act of asking formally for something.

were invited

Emphasizes the aspect of extending an invitation.

were asked for

Highlights the direct request for something.

were sought after

Suggests a more active pursuit or desire for something.

were called upon

Implies a formal or official request for assistance or participation.

were approached

Focuses on the act of making contact with someone.

were canvassed

Suggests a systematic and thorough solicitation of opinions or support.

were appealed to

Implies a more emotional or persuasive request.

were petitioned

Focuses on the act of making a formal written request.

were tapped

Suggests a careful selection of individuals for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "were solicited" in a sentence?

The phrase "were solicited" indicates that someone or something was asked for or requested. For example, "Volunteers "were solicited" to help with the event" or "Donations "were solicited" from local businesses".

What are some alternatives to "were solicited"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were requested", "were invited", or "were asked for" as alternatives to "were solicited".

Is it better to say "were solicited" or "were requested"?

Both "were solicited" and "were requested" are grammatically correct. "Were solicited" often implies a more proactive or intentional seeking, while "were requested" is a more general term for asking for something.

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

"Solicited" means that something was asked for or requested, while "unsolicited" means that something was given or sent without being asked for. For example, "solicited advice" is advice that was asked for, while "unsolicited advice" is advice that was given without being requested.