by seeking only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by seeking only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing a specific focus or limitation in the pursuit of something. Example: "By seeking only the truth, we can avoid unnecessary complications in our discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Imagine trying to bring slavery to an end not by stopping the transatlantic trade, but by seeking only to discourage people from buying slaves once they had arrived in the Americas.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By adding patient views, we discovered many of the same social representations of 'good patients' that were determined by research seeking only healthcare worker opinions.

BMC Infectious Diseases

"Our society desperately needs this sign, and young people need it even more so," the pope said in his homily today, "tempted as they often are by the illusion of an easy and comfortable life, by drugs and pleasure seeking, only to find themselves in a spiral of despair, meaninglessness and violence".

The New York Times

In an interview, Guzman accused Colon's representatives of acting irresponsibly and said the records had been sought only by phone and not in writing.

The New York Times - Sports

The agency is also sweetening the deal by requiring manufacturers to seek only a single PMA for an entire range of AEDs intended for lay users (and another PMA for professional devices).

The Economist

Bellow observed that American society did not pretend to lay great store by high culture but sought only to provide its citizens with "shelter, protection and a certain amount of security against injustice".

The New Yorker

When I first started this job, I assumed my services were sought only by the very busy, or people who couldn't string together a sentence on their own.

Vice

There are also suspicions by some analysts that North Korea seeks only to buy time and extort Western compensation without really committing itself to a peaceful course.

The New York Times

But because the bill would allow potential plaintiffs to seek only intervention by the courts to force changes, and not monetary damages, it was not known yet if the measure would prompt a wave of lawsuits.

The New York Times

But an equally plausible counter-argument is that Iran is motivated by insecurity rather than ambition, seeks only to secure its rightful place in the region and is therefore susceptible to the overtures of a President Obama who has abandoned the reflexive antagonism of the Bush years.

The Economist

Some of them are completely dominated by their own victimization and seek only to inflict payback pain on those around them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by seeking only" to clearly define the scope or limitations of an action or investigation. This helps to set expectations and prevent scope creep.

Common error

Avoid using "by seeking only" if a more comprehensive approach is needed. Focusing too narrowly can lead to missed opportunities or incomplete solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by seeking only" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates a specific method or limitation in achieving a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by seeking only" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a specific and limited approach in pursuing a goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When using this phrase, it is crucial to consider whether a narrow focus is appropriate or if a broader perspective is necessary. Remember to use "by seeking only" when emphasizing a specific method or limitation, and avoid it when a comprehensive approach is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through exclusively pursuing

Replaces "seeking" with "pursuing" and uses "exclusively" to emphasize the limitation.

by solely aiming for

Replaces "seeking" with "aiming for" and uses "solely" to highlight the single-minded focus.

by exclusively looking for

Replaces "seeking" with "looking for" and uses "exclusively" to emphasize the specific focus.

by concentrating solely on

Replaces "seeking" with "concentrating on" and uses "solely" to highlight the focused effort.

through restricting oneself to

Emphasizes the limitation aspect of seeking only a particular outcome.

by focusing entirely on

Replaces "seeking" with "focusing" and uses "entirely" to denote complete concentration.

in exclusively targeting

Replaces "by seeking" with "in targeting exclusively", altering the sentence structure.

by limiting the search to

Highlights the act of limiting the scope of the search.

by pursuing uniquely

Focuses on the unique method of pursuing a single outcome.

by limiting efforts to

Indicates that the efforts are being limited to specific actions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by seeking only" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "through exclusively pursuing", "by solely aiming for", or "in exclusively targeting".

When is it appropriate to use "by seeking only" in writing?

Use "by seeking only" when you want to emphasize that the focus is limited to a specific aspect or goal, and that other considerations are deliberately excluded.

What is a common mistake to avoid when using "by seeking only"?

A common mistake is using "by seeking only" when a broader perspective or more comprehensive approach is actually required. This can lead to incomplete analysis or missed opportunities.

What are some alternatives to "by seeking only" that don't involve the word 'seeking'?

Alternatives include "by focusing entirely on", "through restricting oneself to", or "by limiting the search to".