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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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has sought

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has actively tried to obtain or achieve something in the past and may still be relevant in the present. Example: "The organization has sought funding from various sources to support its initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nebraska has sought sodium thiopental from India.

News & Media

The Economist

Ms. O'Brien has sought immunity from prosecution.

News & Media

The New York Times

Russia has sought entry to the W.T.O.

News & Media

The New York Times

Wilpon has sought investors before this.

But it has sought them.

Gov. David A. Paterson has sought one in New York.

News & Media

The New York Times

Compaq too has sought to emphasize services.

News & Media

The New York Times

And he has sought more acting projects.

News & Media

The New York Times

So Petrobras has sought international investors.

News & Media

The New York Times

In every game, Spain has sought goals.

Kyrgyzstan has sought to balance western and Russian interests.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has sought" when you want to emphasize that an effort has been made to find or achieve something, especially when the search or effort may have ongoing relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "has sought" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. In such cases, "sought" is more appropriate.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has sought" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of seeking or attempting to obtain something occurred at some point in the past and may still be relevant or have consequences in the present. This aligns with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has sought" is a present perfect verb phrase indicating a past action with present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts. When writing, using "has sought" emphasizes the attempt or effort made. Alternatives like "tried to obtain" or "looked for" offer subtle differences in meaning, as seen in the Ludwig examples. Remember to reserve "has sought" for actions that have an ongoing connection to the present.

FAQs

How to use "has sought" in a sentence?

The phrase "has sought" is used to indicate that someone or something has attempted to find or achieve a specific goal. For example, "The company "has sought" funding to expand its operations".

What can I say instead of "has sought"?

You can use alternatives like "tried to obtain", "aimed to achieve", or "looked for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has sought" or "had sought"?

"Has sought" is used for actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present, while "had sought" refers to actions completed in the past before another past action. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeline.

What's the difference between "has sought" and "is seeking"?

"Has sought" indicates a past effort with possible present relevance, while "is seeking" implies a current, ongoing effort to find or achieve something.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: