he was sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was desired or looked for by others, often in a context where the person is being pursued for a specific reason. Example: "After the scandal broke, he was sought by the media for an interview to explain his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Eventually, he was sought for charity events, camps and clinics.

The New York Times - Sports

He was sought out by presidents and religious figures.

The Guardian - Books

He was middle-aged before he achieved any recognition and old before he was sought after.

The Economist

It was one of the places he was sought before he surrendered.

The New York Times

Mostly he was sought by the Big Ten, primarily Michigan State.

The New York Times - Sports

A famous professional bridge player, he was sought out by international players to join their tournament teams.

The New York Times

Rather than being granted technocratic anonymity, he was sought out for his wisdom on almost any subject.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He said he was seeking work elsewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

He was seeking as much as $5.75 million.

The New York Times

Mr. Smith said he was seeking social justice.

The New York Times

All he was seeking was royal permission for the joke.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was sought" to indicate that someone was desired or looked for, often in a formal context or when the reason for seeking the person is significant. For instance, "He was sought for his expertise in the field."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice. While "he was sought" is correct, ensure the active voice isn't more appropriate for clarity and directness. For example, instead of "He was sought by the media", consider "The media sought him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was sought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (he) was the recipient of the action (being sought). Ludwig AI shows that this phrase appears in contexts where someone is being actively looked for or desired by others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was sought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies an individual being desired or actively looked for. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedia, and Wiki contexts, the expression serves to emphasize the demand or pursuit of someone. When using this phrase, consider whether an active voice construction might improve clarity. While the phrase enjoys wide acceptance, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided. As illustrated by the examples, "he was sought" indicates that the person in question held something of value that others wished to obtain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was in demand

Focuses on the desirability and popularity of the person.

he was pursued

Emphasizes the active chase or pursuit of the person.

people looked for him

Highlights the act of searching for the individual.

he was searched for

Similar to 'looked for', but with a slightly more formal tone.

he was hunted

Suggests a more intense and possibly negative search.

he was scouted

Implies that the person was identified as someone of potential.

he was wanted

Often used when someone is being sought by law enforcement.

he was headhunted

Usually refers to a professional being recruited for a job.

he was being looked after

Implies that someone was in demand of assistance or some kind of management.

he was on the run

Refers to someone eluding authorities to avoid capture or persecution.

FAQs

What does "he was sought" mean?

The phrase "he was sought" means that someone was looked for, desired, or pursued, often for a specific purpose or reason.

What can I say instead of "he was sought"?

You can use alternatives like "he was pursued", "he was in demand", or "people looked for him" depending on the context.

Is "he was sought after" the same as "he was sought"?

Yes, "he was sought after" and "he was sought" are similar in meaning, but "he was sought after" emphasizes that the person was highly desired or in demand.

When is it appropriate to use "he was sought"?

It is appropriate to use "he was sought" when you want to emphasize that someone was the object of a search or desire, often for their skills, knowledge, or involvement in a situation. It is often used in formal or neutral contexts.