actively sought

USAGE SUMMARY

"actively sought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It often implies that someone is deliberately and vigorously searching for something. For example, "He actively sought new opportunities to learn new skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I never actively sought out protection here.

The Guardian

Has he actively sought out this stuff?

The New York Times

My fathers' generation was actively sought.

The Guardian

PMI was encouraged that Howe had actively sought its views.

The Guardian - Business

It has become fetishised: tropes are actively sought.

The Guardian - Sport

Rather, it actively sought to nurture individual talents.

The Guardian - Arts

Clothing company New Look once actively sought out Polish managers.

The Guardian - Business

The city has not actively sought developers for the site.

The New York Times

It's the one place emerging artists are actively sought out.

The Guardian

His advisers say he never actively sought out the presidency.

The New York Times

Lincoln, a rigorous logician, actively sought to challenge his own assumptions.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "actively sought", ensure that the subject is capable of initiating action, reflecting an intentional and purposeful pursuit.

Common error

While effective, "actively sought" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "aggressively pursued" or "earnestly searched for" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actively sought" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of the predicate in a sentence. It describes a deliberate and energetic action of seeking something out, as shown by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Huffington Post

7%

Plosone

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actively sought" is a versatile and widely used verb phrase that emphasizes a deliberate and energetic effort to find or obtain something. As evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples, it commonly appears in news, science, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. When writing, ensure that the subject is capable of initiating action and consider using synonyms like "aggressively pursued" or "earnestly searched for" to avoid repetition. Use "actively sought" to highlight intentional and purposeful action in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aggressively pursued

Emphasizes a more forceful or assertive approach in seeking something.

earnestly searched for

Highlights the sincerity and dedication in the search.

diligently looked for

Stresses the care and perseverance involved in the search.

proactively tried to find

Focuses on the anticipatory and self-starting nature of the search.

intentionally aimed to get

Highlights the deliberate intent behind trying to acquire something.

purposefully tried to obtain

Emphasizes the conscious decision to gain something.

zealously hunted down

Implies a passionate and energetic search.

assiduously worked to secure

Highlights the persistent effort to make something certain.

resolutely endeavored to acquire

Stresses the determination and effort in obtaining something.

consciously strived for

Emphasizes awareness and effort towards achieving something.

FAQs

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

Use "actively sought" to describe a situation where someone made a deliberate and energetic effort to find or obtain something. For instance, "The company "actively sought" new investors to expand its operations."

What are some alternatives to "actively sought"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "aggressively pursued", "earnestly searched for", or "diligently looked for".

What does "actively sought" imply?

The phrase implies a proactive approach, indicating that the subject took initiative and exerted considerable effort in their search, rather than passively waiting for something to happen.

Is it correct to say someone "passively sought" something?

No, "passively sought" is contradictory. "Actively sought" implies initiative and effort, while "passive" suggests a lack of action. A more appropriate phrase would be "passively accepted" or "passively received".