a long sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been desired or pursued for a significant amount of time. Example: "After years of research, the scientists finally discovered a long sought cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Intervention to prevent this disease is a long sought after goal.

Oral Oncology

Chemical speciation (extraction of elemental information and identification of molecular environment for an analyte in a complex sample) has been a long sought after goal for analytical chemists.

Microchemical Journal

3D printing has been a long sought after technology for manufacturing, for its ability to create unique, customized products.

TechCrunch

A long sought goal in the cellulosic ethanol field is one-step solubilization and fermentation without added enzymes [ 1, 2].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

In addition to cancer diagnosis, gene profiling is being explored as a means of predicting tumor treatment response, a long sought after goal of clinical oncology.

BMC Cancer

Very recently a long sought apparent Michaelis complex of xylohexaose bound to the xylanase XynII from Trichoderma reesi revealed a slightly distorted C1 conformation [ 41].

Current Opinion in Structural Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Prime Minister Harper has made an attempt to tackle the education issue, but saw a long sought-after deal crumble, thanks to some of that mistrust.

Vice

They're not some cool prototype like the HyperAdapt that point to a shoe company finally realizing a long sought-after feature.

TechCrunch

The ability to analyse, interpret and ultimately predict cellular behaviour is a long sought-after goal.

BMC Systems Biology

More specifically, mTORC2 was found to be a long sought-after kinase that phosphorylates Akt on Ser473 [73].

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Also, a long-sought basketball arena was built on campus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long sought", ensure the context clearly establishes the extended duration and significance of the search or desire, adding depth and emphasizing its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a long sought" when a simpler description of the object itself would suffice. This phrase emphasizes the duration and effort involved in the search, not just the object's inherent qualities.

Linguistic Context

"A long sought" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It emphasizes the extended period over which something has been searched for or desired. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical use is correct and consistent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long sought" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase, often used to emphasize the duration and significance of a search or desire. According to Ludwig, it is more common in scientific and news contexts. Related phrases include "a long-desired" and "a long-pursued". While grammatically sound, ensure its usage aligns with the intended emphasis on the extended duration of the search rather than the object's inherent qualities. Consider the hyphenated form "long-sought" for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long-pursued

Emphasizes the active chasing or striving involved.

a long-desired

Highlights the wish or craving aspect over a sustained period.

a long-awaited

Focuses on the anticipation and waiting for something to happen.

a much-sought-after

Emphasizes the high demand and desirability of the thing being sought.

a historically pursued

Places the 'seeking' in a historical context, suggesting it's been a goal for a significant period.

a chronically pursued

Highlights that the search has been ongoing and persistent.

a long-standing ambition

Shifts from 'sought' to 'ambition', framing it as a goal pursued over time.

a perennial quest

Uses 'quest' to signify a continuous and ongoing search or journey.

an age-old dream

Implies the desire has existed for a very long time, potentially across generations.

a longstanding objective

Frames the search as an objective maintained over a prolonged period.

FAQs

How can I use "a long sought" in a sentence?

You can use "a long sought" to describe something that has been pursued or desired for a considerable time. For example, "The discovery represents "a long sought cure" for the disease".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a long sought"?

Alternatives include "a long desired", "a long pursued", or "a much sought after" depending on the context.

Is "a long sought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a long sought" is grammatically correct, although it can sometimes sound more formal or literary. Simpler alternatives like "long-sought" are also common.

What is the difference between "a long sought" and "long-sought"?

"A long sought" uses separate words, emphasizing the duration of the search. "Long-sought" (with a hyphen) acts as a compound adjective. They are often interchangeable, but the hyphenated form can sound more concise.