be sought by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sought by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something is desired or requested by another party. Example: "The rare artifact is often sought by collectors around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some fear the data could be sought by hackers and governments.

The New York Times - Tech

Her company will never be sought by Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote or the Maharaja of Jaipur.

The New York Times

And reductions in spending will be sought by whichever party wins.

The Economist

Clues must be sought by comparing the matter content with theoretical calculations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And because Canseco's credibility is now being challenged by Dion's statements, Rodriguez's input will probably be sought by the investigators.

The New York Times - Sports

Compensation of at least £1m would be sought by West Brom for the remaining two years of Mowbray's contract.

The Guardian - Sport

Training should be sought by schools and provided by outside sources that have experience in tackling homophobic bullying.

The Guardian

Parliament's assent could be sought by means of legislation or through resolutions tabled in both Houses of Parliament.

The Guardian

Alderson said closer Bobby Parnell, rumored to be sought by some teams, was never a candidate to be moved.

The New York Times - Sports

The extent of the drilling to be sought by Democrats remained in flux until party leaders were ready to disclose the parameters of their legislation Wednesday.

The New York Times

The article also misidentified the House seat that could be sought by State Senator John McKinney in such a special election.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be sought by" in formal writing to indicate that someone or something is desired or officially requested. This passive construction is suitable for objective reporting and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "be sought by", as excessive use can make your writing sound indirect or vague. Ensure the agent (the one doing the seeking) is clear when necessary for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sought by" primarily functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action of being desired or requested. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be sought by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is desired or officially requested by someone. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal tone. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice to maintain clarity and directness. Alternatives such as "be desired by" or "be requested by" can offer subtle variations in meaning depending on the specific context. The authoritative sources where the expression appears include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC among the top.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be desired by

Focuses on the aspect of wanting or wishing for something.

be requested by

Emphasizes the act of asking formally for something.

be pursued by

Highlights the action of chasing or striving for something.

be courted by

Suggests an active attempt to gain favor or support.

be in demand by

Indicates a high level of popularity and request.

be fancied by

Implies a liking or preference for something.

be yearned for by

Conveys a strong feeling of longing or desire.

be coveted by

Suggests a strong desire, often with envy.

be solicited by

Highlights the act of asking for something, often support or assistance.

be hunted by

Implies an active search or quest for something.

FAQs

How can I use "be sought by" in a sentence?

The phrase "be sought by" indicates that someone or something is desired or requested by another. For instance, "The truth is often "be sought by" investigators".

What phrases are similar to "be sought by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be desired by", "be requested by", or "be in demand by", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

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

While "be sought by" is in the passive voice, the choice depends on your focus. Use the active voice when you want to emphasize the seeker, and the passive voice when the focus is on what is being sought.

What's the difference between "be sought by" and "be found by"?

"Be sought by" implies an active effort to find something, whereas "be found by" simply indicates that something was discovered, regardless of whether it was actively searched for.