are sought

USAGE SUMMARY

"are sought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being actively sought, or looked for. For example, "Solutions to the environmental crisis are sought worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whenever possible, good weather conditions are sought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Wait, are you OK?" Bandages are sought.

The Guardian - Film

His views are sought by government officials and journalists.

The New York Times

Your suggestions for another clue are sought below.

The Guardian

I gather that £500m of cuts are sought from universities.

The Guardian - Business

New horizons are sought; useful experiences are had.

The New York Times

Their talents are sought by teams the world over.

The New York Times - Sports

Societal conflicts metastasize as resentments fester and scapegoats are sought.

The New York Times

"Even wrecked planes are sought after," Wattum said.

The New York Times - Sports

As many amenities as are appropriate are provided, and locations are sought near public transportation.

The New York Times

Often, precedents are sought in setting criteria.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are sought", ensure that the subject performing the seeking is clearly identified, even if implied. This clarifies the intention and agency behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "are sought" when active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Solutions are sought by the team", consider "The team seeks solutions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are sought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action, rather than the performer. Ludwig indicates this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are sought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that something is being actively looked for or desired. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It appears most often in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who or what is doing the seeking, and consider whether active voice might be more impactful. Alternatives such as "are desired" or "are looked for" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Therefore, understanding the subtle nuances is critical to using the phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are desired

This alternative uses a synonym for "sought", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

are looked for

This phrase replaces "sought" with a more common and straightforward expression, slightly decreasing the formality.

are searched for

A more explicit and literal way of saying that something is being actively searched.

are in demand

This alternative emphasizes the popularity or need for something, shifting the focus from the act of seeking to the state of being wanted.

are pursued

This phrase suggests a more active and determined effort to obtain something.

are needed

This phrase focuses on the necessity of something, rather than the active pursuit of it.

are requested

This alternative implies a formal request or solicitation for something.

are required

This alternative highlights the mandatory or essential nature of something.

are investigated

This alternative suggests a formal inquiry or examination is being conducted.

are explored

This phrase implies that something is being examined or considered in detail.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are sought" indicates that something is being actively looked for or desired. For example, "New solutions "are sought" to address climate change".

What can I say instead of "are sought"?

You can use alternatives like "are desired", "are looked for", or "are in demand" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are sought"?

While "are sought" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "Answers "are sought" by researchers", you could say "Researchers seek answers".

What's the difference between "are sought" and "are seeking"?

"Are sought" is in the passive voice, indicating something is being looked for. "Are seeking" is in the active voice, meaning someone is actively searching. For example, "Solutions "are sought"" (passive) versus "Researchers "are seeking" solutions" (active).