have been sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been desired or requested over a period of time, often in a passive construction. Example: "Various solutions have been sought to address the ongoing issue of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Therefore, alternative characterization techniques have been sought.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Offers in excess of £10m have been sought.

The Guardian

Lifetime and the Allahs have been sought for comment.

The Guardian - Film

No criminal charges have been sought in the case.

The New York Times - Health

DNA matches have been sought, but without success.

The New Yorker

Screws with strong pull-out strength have been sought for the treatment of cancellous bone.

Clinical Biomechanics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

SINCE 1789 pieces of the Bastille have been sought-after decorations on mantelpieces in France.

The Economist

And domestically, AmeriCorps alumni have been sought-after hires since the program's inception 20 years ago.

HuffPost

In order to enhance the succinate production, multiple metabolical strategies have been sought.

BioMed Research International

Rather, since the 1970s, closures of deficit-making regional railway lines of JNR have been sought.

European Transport Research Review

Pathological reports have been sought where no tissue survives for examination using modern techniques.

Brain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been sought" to indicate a sustained effort or desire to find or obtain something, especially when the search or request has been ongoing over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "have been sought" with an active construction when the actor is unknown or less important than the object of the search. For example, instead of saying "Researchers sought alternative methods", consider "Alternative methods "have been sought" by researchers" if the methods are the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been sought" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something has been desired or actively looked for over a period of time. Ludwig AI shows its usage across different domains, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been sought" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to indicate that something has been desired or looked for. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate and that the focus remains on the object of the search rather than the actor. Alternatives like "have been requested" or "have been pursued" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to use "have been sought" to convey ongoing efforts to find or obtain something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been requested

This alternative focuses on the act of asking for something, implying a formal request.

have been pursued

This suggests a more active and determined effort to obtain something.

have been desired

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of wanting something strongly.

have been solicited

This implies that something has been formally asked for or encouraged.

have been investigated

This highlights that something has been looked into carefully and thoroughly.

have been targeted

This emphasizes that something has been specifically aimed at.

have been searched for

This suggests an active search or quest to find something.

have been explored

This implies a thorough examination or investigation of something.

have been aimed for

This suggests that something has been set as a goal or target.

have been strived for

This emphasizes the effort and determination put into achieving something.

FAQs

How can I use "have been sought" in a sentence?

Use "have been sought" to express that efforts have been made to find or obtain something. For example, "Alternative solutions "have been sought" to address the problem".

What phrases are similar to "have been sought"?

Similar phrases include "have been requested", "have been pursued", and "have been desired", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "have been sought"?

Using the passive voice with "have been sought" is often appropriate when the actor is less important than the object. The active voice may be preferred when you want to emphasize who is doing the seeking.

What's the difference between "have been sought" and "have been researched"?

"Have been sought" implies a desire or need, while "have been researched" implies a study or investigation has been conducted. You seek solutions, but research topics.