council vs counsel
A council is an official group of people who meet to decide things. Counsel means advice, or the act of giving it — and, in law, a barrister. The council meets; a mentor gives you counsel.
The difference
- council (noun) — an assembly or governing body of people
- counsel (noun / verb) — advice; to advise; a legal adviser
Examples
- The town council approved the plan.
- She counselled him to wait.
How to remember
A counCIL is a CIrcLe of people; counSEL gives you advicE (both have the 'sel/advise' feel).
The common trap
Writing 'the city counsel' — a governing body is always a council.
These distinctions are exactly what Word Meaning and Contextual Word Choice questions test. Read the Word Meaning guide or Contextual Word Choice guide, then practise the drill.