Hello there, English learner! 👋
Great question! The words “council” and “counsel” are homophones—they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. These two are often confused in writing, but once you understand their roles, it’s easy to keep them straight.

Let’s explore the difference step by step. ✅

🗝️ Quick Summary

📚 1. Council – A Decision-Making Group (Noun)

✅ Meaning:

A council is a group of people who come together to discuss, plan, or make decisions—especially in government, education, or business.

🗣️ Examples:

• The student council organized the school event.
• The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting.
• She was elected to the city council.

🧠 Key idea:
“Council” = committee or official group

📚 2. Counsel – Advice or the Act of Advising

✅ As a noun:

Means advice—especially professional or legal guidance.

🗣️ Examples:

• He sought legal counsel before signing the contract.
• Her parents offered emotional counsel during a hard time.

✅ Often used with lawyers:

• The judge asked the counsel to approach the bench.
  (Here, “counsel” refers to a lawyer or legal team.)

✅ As a verb:

Means to advise, guide, or give direction.

🗣️ Examples:

• She counseled him on how to handle the situation.
• The therapist counsels patients dealing with stress.

🧠 Key idea:
“Counsel” = advice or advising

🔁 Side-by-Side Comparison

📝 Practice: Choose council or counsel

1. The city ______ approved the new park design.
2. He provided legal ______ during the trial.
3. Our school has a student ______ that meets weekly.
4. I need someone to ______ me on my next step.
5. The judge asked the defense ______ to speak.

✅ Answers:

1. council
2. counsel
3. council
4. counsel
5. counsel

💡 Learning Tip:

Pro Tip:

• Council has the word “group” hidden in it—think: committee.
• Counsel has the word “advise” or “lawyer” behind it—think: help or guidance.

🎯 Quick memory trick:

✏️ Council = committee
✏️ Counsel = advice or adviser