Question:
Correct use of "Council" and "Counsel"
Correct use of "Council" and "Counsel"
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Remember that a council is a city body or group of people (both have 'c').
Counsel is advice or a personal advisor (both are related to guidance or sensing what is right).
Counsel is advice or a personal advisor (both are related to guidance or sensing what is right).
Updated On: May 25, 2026
- The council passed a law.
- He sought legal counsel.
- The counsel members met today.
- She gave wise counsel.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question tests the ability to distinguish between the homophones "council" and "counsel" and use them correctly in context.
We must identify which sentences are correct, and find why Option (C) represents an incorrect usage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
$\bullet$ Defining "Council": A "council" is a noun referring to an advisory, deliberative, or legislative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly (e.g., city council, student council).
$\bullet$ Defining "Counsel": "Counsel" can act as a noun meaning advice, opinion, or instruction. It can also refer to a legal adviser or barrister. As a verb, it means to give advice or professional guidance.
$\bullet$ Evaluating Sentence (A): "The council passed a law" is correct. Since a council is a legislative body, passing laws is an appropriate action for it.
$\bullet$ Evaluating Sentence (B): "He sought legal counsel" is correct. Here, "counsel" refers to professional legal advice or a legal representative.
$\bullet$ Evaluating Sentence (C): "The counsel members met today" is incorrect. Since the sentence refers to members of a deliberative assembly meeting together, the correct word is "council", making it "The council members met today". This incorrect usage is circled in the source paper, indicating it is the targeted answer for incorrect usage.
$\bullet$ Evaluating Sentence (D): "She gave wise counsel" is correct because "counsel" is used as a noun meaning wise advice or guidance.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The sentence that demonstrates an incorrect use of the homophones is (C) The counsel members met today.
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