authorities sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "authorities sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken by officials or governing bodies in pursuit of information, assistance, or resolution of a matter. Example: "In response to the rising concerns about public safety, authorities sought the expertise of local law enforcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Payments from the city have amounted to almost $3 million since federal authorities sought the documents.

The New York Times

In this fashion, municipal authorities sought to inculcate privacy in the lower classes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Suffolk authorities sought the indictment before the statute of limitations for rape expired.

The New York Times

In advance of yesterday's strike, hundreds of opposition activists were reportedly detained as the authorities sought to undermine its effectiveness.

Independent

The authorities sought the cooperation of Mr. Steinberg, one of SAC's longest-serving employees and a friend of Mr. Cohen.

The New York Times

Saying the conviction established that Mr. Moncrieffe had committed an "aggravated felony," federal authorities sought to deport him.

The New York Times

Indian authorities sought to persuade Google to take down maps that depicted a disputed border in the province of Kashmir.

The New York Times

The authorities sought to reassure nearby residents that there was no evident danger associated with the undertaking.

The New York Times

Odom had spent four days in a legal Nevada brothel, and authorities sought a warrant for blood evidence of drugs.

The Guardian - Sport

More than two years ago, European authorities sought help from the United States on the contraband problem.

The New York Times

The Swiss authorities sought to prove that the funds were the profits of drug trafficking, but their efforts ended inconclusively.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "authorities sought", ensure the context clearly identifies which authorities are being referred to and what they are seeking. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid generalizing the actions of "authorities" without specifying their roles or the scope of their involvement. Be specific about which level of authority (e.g. local, federal, international) is involved and the precise nature of their actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "authorities sought" primarily functions as a statement indicating that certain officials or governing bodies were in pursuit of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in news and media when describing investigations or requests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "authorities sought" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that officials or governing bodies were actively seeking something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts, but can also be found in encyclopedias and scientific publications. While variations like "officials requested" or "police investigated" exist, "authorities sought" is the most common way to phrase the active seeking by officials of some kind. For clear communication, ensure that the specific authorities and their objectives are well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

officials requested

Focuses on the act of requesting, emphasizing the official capacity of the requesters.

police investigated

Highlights an investigation conducted by the police.

government agencies inquired

Emphasizes the inquiry aspect by government entities.

the city petitioned

Specifies that a petition was made by the city.

federal agents pursued

Suggests a more active and persistent effort by federal agents.

inspectors looked for

Highlights the act of inspectors looking for something specific.

researchers explored

Emphasizes an exploration carried out by researchers.

counsel sought advice

Specifically mentions that the counsel was seeking guidance.

experts consulted

Implies experts were consulted for their specialized knowledge.

the court subpoenaed

Indicates that the court issued a subpoena.

FAQs

How is "authorities sought" used in a sentence?

The phrase "authorities sought" is used to indicate that officials or governing bodies were looking for something, such as information, assistance, or a resolution. For example: "Federal "authorities sought" the documents related to the case."

What are some alternatives to "authorities sought"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "officials requested", "police investigated", or "government agencies inquired", depending on the specific context and the actors involved.

Is it correct to say "the authority sought" instead of "authorities sought"?

While grammatically possible, "the authority sought" is less common and implies that a single, specific authority was looking for something. "Authorities sought" suggests that multiple authorities or a collective body were involved.

When is it appropriate to use "authorities sought" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "authorities sought" when you want to convey that those in positions of power or governance were actively pursuing information, assistance, or a particular outcome related to a specific situation or issue.