courted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "courted" is correct and usable in written English.
"Courted" can be used to describe actively seeking someone's love or attention, usually with the intention of starting a romantic relationship. For example, you could say: "John had been courting Mary for months before they finally went on their first date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former defender, who played for Tottenham and Arsenal in the capital, has been courted by the party and recently had lunch with the party chairman, Grant Shapps, amid suggestions he could run for mayor.

The Guardian - Sport

Just ask Jonathan Agnew, the BBC cricket correspondent who courted controversy last week by insinuating Australia had sullied the memory of Phillip Hughes, their late team-mate, by continuing their aggressive approach during the fractious Test series against India.

The Guardian - Sport

Nick De Luca, who because of his Italian ancestry was once courted by Treviso and Viadana, may be one of the few Scotland players who feel at home in Romeon Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

Filipe, courted by Barcelona in the summer but priced out of a move to the league champions by the Deportivo president Augusto César Lendoiro, gave the Galicians the lead in acrobatic style, but fell awkwardly and suffered a nasty twist to the ankle that left him in excruciating pain and will leave him sidelined for several months at least.

The Guardian - Sport

Mansell was courted back, apparently, for £7m by sponsors desperate to give the sport the sense of character and oomph suddenly perceived to be lacking.

The Guardian - Sport

No wonder then that Bollywood personalities are courted by tourism agencies worldwide.

The Guardian

Thiam has been courted by politicians and has extensive contacts outside business.

The Guardian - Business

The likes of Pamela Anderson, Gerri Halliwell, Gwyneth Paltrow and Snooki have courted controversy when it was discovered they were not the primary authors of publications in their name.

The Guardian - Opinion

Liberal donor recommended Abbott's daughter for scholarship Frances Abbott was courted for scholarship, says New Matilda.

The Guardian

The outgoing minister is being replaced by Mervyn Storey, the DUP assemblyman for North Antrim, who has also courted controversy in the past by demanding that the biblical stories of creationism be taught as science in Northern Ireland's schools.

The Guardian

The book has courted some controversy, notably over his contention that President Obama was unwise to let his teenage daughters listen to music by Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "courted" to indicate a sustained and deliberate effort to gain favor, attention, or support from a person, group, or entity. For example, a political party "courted" voters, or a company "courted" investors.

Common error

Avoid using "courted" in very informal contexts, as it carries a degree of formality. Consider using simpler alternatives like "attracted" or "tried to get" in casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "courted" functions primarily as a verb, typically in the past tense or past participle form. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of actively seeking someone's attention or favor. Examples show it used to describe efforts to gain political support, business investment, or romantic interest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "courted" is a verb frequently used to describe a deliberate effort to gain favor, attention, or support. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and sports, with a register leaning towards neutral and professional. When using "courted", consider its connotation of strategic pursuit and its suitability for formal or semi-formal contexts. Alternatives include "sought after", "wooed", and "pursued", which can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought after

Emphasizes desirability and active pursuit, shifting the focus to the sought object's appeal.

wooed

Implies a more romantic or persuasive approach to gain favor or support.

pursued

Highlights the act of actively chasing or following someone or something.

solicited

Focuses on formally requesting or seeking something, like opinions or support.

cultivated

Suggests carefully nurturing a relationship or seeking influence over time.

vied for

Indicates competition among multiple parties trying to win the same thing.

sought the favor of

Directly states the intention to gain someone's goodwill or approval.

paid attention to

Implies a more general interest or focus, not necessarily leading to a relationship.

tried to attract

Highlights the attempt to draw someone's interest or attention.

sought to engage

Emphasizes the desire to involve someone in a conversation or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "courted" in a sentence?

You can use "courted" to describe efforts to gain favor or attention, as in "The company "courted" investors with promises of high returns" or "The politician "courted" the youth vote".

What can I say instead of "courted"?

You can use alternatives like "sought after", "wooed", or "pursued" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "courted"?

"Courted" is appropriate when describing deliberate and sustained efforts to gain favor or attention, especially in formal contexts like politics, business, or diplomacy. It implies a strategic approach to winning someone over.

What is the difference between "courted" and "attracted"?

"Courted" suggests a deliberate and strategic effort to gain favor, while "attracted" implies a more passive or natural drawing of interest. Someone can be "attracted" without any specific action, while being "courted" involves active pursuit.