What's the Difference Between 'Council' and 'Counsel'?
In this blog post we look at when to use council and when to use counsel.
'Council' or 'Counsel'?
Council and counsel are two words that are often pronounced the same, but they have different meanings and spellings.
A council is a group of people who are appointed or elected to make decisions or give advice on a particular matter.
Councils can be found at various levels of government, such as a city council or a national council, and they can also be found in other organizations, such as a school council or a corporate council.
Counsel, on the other hand, refers to advice or guidance given to someone, usually in the form of legal or professional advice.
For example, you might seek the counsel of a lawyer or financial advisor to help you make a decision or solve a problem. Counsel can also refer to the act of giving advice, as in "she offered counsel on how to handle the situation."
In summary, a council is a group of people who make decisions or give advice, while counsel is advice or guidance given to someone.
Here are some examples to demonstrate the difference between the words “council” and “counsel”:
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The city council met to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (a group of people who make decisions or give advice)
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The school council held a meeting to discuss ways to improve the school. (a group of people who make decisions or give advice)
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The lawyer provided counsel to the client on how to proceed with the case. (advice or guidance given to someone)
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The financial advisor offered counsel on how to invest the client's money. (advice or guidance given to someone)
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The teacher counseled the student on how to improve his grades. (act of giving advice)
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The counselor provided counsel to the patient on how to deal with her anxiety. (act of giving advice)
Examples of Council in a Sentence
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The city council voted to approve the new development project.
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The school council discussed ways to improve the campus.
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The national council released a statement condemning the violence.
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The corporate council held a meeting to discuss the company's financial performance.
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The council of ministers met to discuss the country's economic policies.
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The council of elders made a decision on the dispute between the two clans.
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The student council held an election for the new president.
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The council of bishops released a statement on the church's stance on social issues.
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The council of scientists published a report on their research findings.
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The council of artists held a meeting to plan the annual art festival.
Examples of Counsel in a Sentence
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The lawyer provided counsel to the client on the legal options available.
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The financial advisor offered counsel on how to save for retirement.
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The counselor provided counsel to the patient on how to manage her stress.
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The teacher counseled the student on how to improve his study habits.
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The coach counseled the team on how to improve their performance.
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The mentor offered counsel on how to advance in the career field.
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The doctor provided counsel on the patient's treatment options.
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The therapist offered counsel on how to improve the patient's mental health.
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The advisor provided counsel on how to choose the right college.
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The pastor offered counsel on how to handle the difficult situation.
