have long sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have long sought" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that someone has wanted something for a long time. For example, "Scientists have long sought an explanation for the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basques have long sought autonomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Studies have long sought specific cytokines that could characterize endometriosis.

Journal of Reproductive Immunology

They have long sought a "theory of everything".

The Economist

Western environmental groups have long sought such a measure.

The New York Times - Science

This is a victory that gays have long sought.

The Economist

Environmental organizations have long sought such a coastal plan.

The New York Times

Antidoping officials have long sought information from drug companies.

The New York Times

SINGAPORE — Watchmakers have long sought new ways of expressing time.

The New York Times

Neuroscientists have long sought a better alternative than electrode stimulation.

The New York Times - Science

Linguists have long sought a homeland for the Indo-Europeans.

The Guardian

Outsiders, both tourists and immigrants, have long sought out Golden.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the subject performing the seeking is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just stating "solutions have long been sought", specify who is seeking the solutions, such as "researchers have long sought solutions".

Common error

Avoid using "have long sought" in contexts where the passive voice weakens the sentence. Instead of "a solution has long been sought", prefer the active voice: "researchers "have long sought" a solution". This provides clarity and directness to the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have long sought" functions as a verb phrase indicating a prolonged and sustained effort or desire. It describes an action that started in the past and continues to the present, often used to emphasize the duration and persistence of the pursuit. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have long sought" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase, indicating a sustained effort or desire over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, the phrase conveys a sense of prolonged pursuit and commitment, often adding weight to the subject's endeavors. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in subject identification and consider the potential for strengthening sentences by opting for the active voice. Remember also that "have long sought" is already in the present perfect tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have persistently pursued

Replaces "sought" with "pursued", emphasizing the continuous and determined effort.

have consistently aimed for

Uses "aimed for" instead of "sought", focusing on the target or goal of the effort.

have continually striven for

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in the pursuit, using "striven for".

have tirelessly worked towards

Highlights the dedication and hard work involved, using "tirelessly worked towards".

have eagerly anticipated

Shifts the focus to anticipation and expectation, using "eagerly anticipated" instead of active seeking.

have repeatedly requested

Focuses on the act of asking or requesting, which may or may not imply a long-standing desire.

have historically desired

Highlights the historical aspect of the desire.

have traditionally looked for

Replaces "sought" with "looked for", indicating a conventional or established practice.

have for a long time been after

More informal phrasing that emphasizes the duration of the pursuit.

have craved for many years

Uses a stronger word choice with "craved" to intensify the feeling of desire over a long time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have long sought" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "have long sought" with phrases such as "have persistently pursued" or "have consistently aimed for", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has long sought" instead of "have long sought"?

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use "has long sought" with singular subjects (e.g., "he has long sought") and "have long sought" with plural subjects (e.g., "they have long sought").

What's the difference between "have long sought" and "are seeking"?

"Have long sought" implies a prolonged effort or desire over a significant period, whereas "are seeking" suggests a current, ongoing action. For example, "scientists "have long sought" a cure for cancer" indicates a historical and continuing effort, while "scientists are seeking a cure for cancer" simply indicates the current activity.

Can "have long sought" be used in the past tense?

No, the phrase "have long sought" is already in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has present relevance. To refer to a past action, you could use "had long sought".