in sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in sought" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation or a typo, as "sought" is typically used as the past participle of "seek" and does not pair with "in" in a standard expression. Example: "The information was sought after by many researchers."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Hirschfeld, known more as a big contributor than a candidate in sought the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate in 1974.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In late March, Egyptian voters approved hastily written constitutional amendments for free parliamentary and Presidential elections soon, which is precisely the sort of transition plan those in the Casbah sit-in sought to prevent.

The New Yorker

Caught between two world famous egos, South Korean President Moon Jae-in sought to strike a diplomatic balance this week, crediting Trump for his role in the recent thawing.

Vice

Or in seeking to incorporate renewable energy?

The New York Times

He is involved in seeking investment opportunities in commercial properties.

The New York Times

Certainly, it has been canny in seeking allies.

The Economist

We were both proactive and reactive in seeking investors.

The New York Times

And America is not alone in seeking tougher regulation.

The Economist

He was indefatigable in seeking out and cataloguing interesting items.

Independent

In seeking to assert my moral superiority, I enabled Hannity.

The New York Times - Magazine

If depression sneaks in, seek professional counsel.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "in sought". Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "sought after" or "in demand" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Ensure you are using the correct form of the verb "seek". "Sought" is the past tense and past participle. It typically needs a helping verb (e.g., "was sought") or a different preposition (e.g., "sought after"/s/sought+after) to be grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sought" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It attempts to combine a preposition ("in") with the past participle of the verb "seek" without proper grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in sought" is generally grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While some examples exist, they are likely due to errors or non-standard usage. Instead, use grammatically sound alternatives like "sought after" or rephrase your sentence for clarity. The phrase appears rarely, and authoritative sources do not support its use as a standard expression. Therefore, it's best to opt for correct and clear alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought after

This is a common idiom that means desired or pursued, correcting the grammatical error of the original phrase.

in demand

This alternative implies something is currently desired or needed, offering a different angle on desirability.

looked for in

This rephrasing emphasizes the act of searching for something within a specific context or location.

searching within

This focuses on the active process of seeking something inside a defined area or set of parameters.

investigated within

This suggests a more formal or official search or inquiry within a particular scope.

explored inside

This alternative highlights the examination of something internal or within an enclosed space.

delved into

This implies a deep and thorough search or investigation into a topic or subject.

pursued within

This suggests that something is actively chased or followed within certain boundaries.

researched within

This implies a careful study into something inside some parameters, like academic or medical research.

hunted inside

This conveys a vigorous search, often suggesting a hidden or elusive target is the object of the search.

FAQs

Is "in sought" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "in sought" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. "Sought" typically requires a different preposition or a helping verb to form a correct phrase.

What are some alternatives to "in sought" that are grammatically sound?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "sought after", "in demand", or rephrase to include the action of searching within something. Ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects your intended meaning.

How can I use "sought" correctly in a sentence?

Use "sought" with a helping verb (e.g., "was sought", "has sought") or as part of a correct idiom like "sought after". For example, "The information was sought by researchers" or "The item is highly sought after".

When should I use "sought after" instead of "in sought"?

"Sought after" should be used when you want to express that something is desired or pursued by many people. The phrase "in sought" should be avoided as it's not grammatically correct.