could be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be sought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a possibility of obtaining something or achieving a goal. Example: He hoped that a resolution to the issue could be sought.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other justifications indicated participants' discomfort with the nature of the information being linked and there were suggestions about the kind of consent that could be sought (i.e. opt-in or opt-out consent).

BMC Medical Ethics

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

The New York Times - Tech

When times got hard for one group, help could be sought from another.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

But he said it was unclear if the decision might affect districts around the state where such penalties could be sought.

The New York Times

Richter, one of the club's few tradeable players, could be sought by a Stanley Cup contender that wants to improve itself before the March 13 trade deadline.

The New York Times - Sports

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

California, Kansas and Navy reportedly could be seeking his services.

The New York Times - Sports

One route could be seeking public donations, she suggests.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, shoppers could be seeking deals because they are financially struggling.

The New York Times

Officials believe the shooter may have a leg injury and could be seeking treatment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be sought" to suggest a potential course of action or a resource that is available, but not guaranteed. It softens the statement, making it less assertive.

Common error

Avoid using "could be sought" excessively, as it contributes to passive voice. Opt for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be sought" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be looked for or obtained. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests an action that can be taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be sought" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, that suggests the potential for something to be looked for or obtained. Its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, scientific, and formal business contexts highlight its suitability for professional and academic writing. While alternatives like "might be pursued" or "may be obtained" exist, "could be sought" provides a balanced tone of possibility without strong assertion. It's important to avoid overusing the passive voice in writing, but using "could be sought" to express that something is potentially available or obtainable is useful in many instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be pursued

Replaces "sought" with "pursued", emphasizing the active chase or attempt to gain something.

may be obtained

Focuses on the potential for acquisition rather than the act of seeking.

can be achieved

Highlights the possibility of reaching a goal or desired outcome.

could be attained

Similar to "obtained", but often implies a greater effort or challenge in reaching the desired result.

can be requested

Emphasizes the act of formally asking for something.

might be explored

Suggests an investigation or examination of possibilities.

may be investigated

Focuses on a formal inquiry or examination.

can be accessed

Highlights the availability and possibility of using or reaching something.

might be identified

Focuses on discovering or recognizing something that is not immediately obvious.

may be unearthed

Implies a deeper search to uncover something hidden or previously unknown.

FAQs

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

Use "could be sought" to indicate that something is potentially available or obtainable. For example, "Assistance "could be sought" from various support groups."

What are some alternatives to "could be sought"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "might be pursued", "may be obtained", or "can be achieved", depending on the specific context.

Is "could be sought" formal or informal?

"Could be sought" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in professional, academic, and news contexts.

What is the difference between "could be sought" and "should be sought"?

"Could be sought" implies possibility, while "should be sought" suggests a recommendation or obligation. For example, "Legal advice "could be sought"" means it's an option, whereas "Legal advice should be sought" means it's advisable.