Confusing Words: Council (noun) and Counsel (noun/verb)
Meaning:
Council (an advisory, deliberative, or administrative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly.)
Counsel (advice, especially that given formally.)
Council vs Counsel Clarification: Council and counsel are homophones. They are similar in pronunciation but are totally different in meaning and function.
Council vs Counsel – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
As I said above that council and counsel are homophones. It means that they are similar in terms of pronunciation but they have different meanings and functions within sentences.
Council and counsel are just two-letters apart. This is just because of their similar pronunciation that makes people think twice whether to choose council or counsel. Let me define these terms one by one.
Council
Council is used as a noun within a sentence. It is used to refer to a group of people who is appointed or chosen for decision making or to give advice.
1. Congratulations to everyone! A council has been elected for the inspection of this matter.
2. It is just an advice that came from the city council to overcome the excessive use of cigar.
Check Out: What Is a Collective Noun?
Counsel
Counsel is used as a noun or a verb within a sentence. As a verb, it means to give instruction, direction, or advice.
As a noun, it is used to refer to a formal advice. It is also used to refer to the lawyer(s) or advocate(s) conducting a legal case in court.
1. Let me counsel you to take good decisions for a happy life. (verb)
2. I had no advice, no counsel, no encouragement, no consolation, no assistance, no support, of any kind, from anyone, that I can call to mind, as I hope to go to heaven! (Charles Dickens) (noun)
3. The counsel started arguing to give more time in order to investigate the matter. (noun)
You have noticed that the difference between council and counsel is obvious from the above definitions. Council will never be used as a verb. It is always used as a noun. So, do not mix these words together as; both of these words are totally different from each other.
What Did You Learn?
Council and counsel are homophones. They are similar in pronunciation but are totally different in meaning and function. Council is a noun which is used to refer to a group of people appointed for making decisions.
Counsel, on the other hand, is used as a noun or verb. As a noun, it is used to refer to an advice; or the advocate(s) conducting a legal case. As a verb, counsel means to give advice or directions.