it has been sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been sought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been desired or pursued in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: "In recent years, it has been sought by many researchers to find a cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet, enormous antigenic variation has been found everywhere where it has been sought.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

In fact, autochthonous HEV infection has been detected in every country in which it has been sought, usually associated with genotype 3.

BMC Infectious Diseases

That being said, however, depression has been identified in almost all populations for which it has been sought, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within Australia [ 21- 24].

BMC Psychiatry

The precise pattern of projections varies between cortical areas, but the patch system has nevertheless been observed in every area of cortex in which it has been sought, in many higher mammals.

Cerebral Cortex

Moreover, it has been sought as an advantage that the same materials that will constitute the potentiometric cell could be used in both the solid-sate ISE and RE [ 5, 17, 24] or that the production method for both electrodes is compatible [ 13].

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr Anwar's People's Justice Party is to be allowed to publish its own newspaper, a right it has been seeking for ten years.

The Economist

As of its last public disclosure to the SEC last July, however, Privateer still was hoping to raise another $56m of the total $75m it has been seeking in its most recent funding round.

The Guardian - Business

Significantly for Alibaba, GMV for transactions made over mobile devices represented 42.6percentt of sales, a good sign for the company because it has been seeking to expand its mobile business.

TechCrunch

It has been seeking to expand its influence in the Arab world, much to the fear of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other countries.

Huffington Post

Recently, it has been seeking to rapidly expand its presence on college campuses.

The New York Times

For four decades it has been seeking to join the European Union and its forerunners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been sought" when you want to convey that something has been actively looked for or pursued, often with a sense of importance or value. It is best suited for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been sought" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it was looked for" or "people have been searching for it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been sought" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been the object of a search or pursuit. It emphasizes the action performed on the subject, rather than the actor performing the action. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been sought" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been actively looked for or pursued. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase is relatively formal and appears more often in scientific and news contexts, it's important to consider the tone of your writing and choose the most appropriate alternative in informal settings. Remember, the goal is clear communication, and sometimes a simpler phrasing is more effective. According to the examples found, the phrase suits formal writing and discussions of deliberate pursuits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been desired

Replaces "sought" with a synonym focusing on the aspect of wanting or wishing for something.

it has been pursued

Emphasizes the active effort to obtain or achieve something.

it has been looked for

Uses a more literal and common expression for searching.

efforts have been made

Focuses on the actions taken rather than the specific thing being sought.

attempts have been undertaken

Highlights the initiation of actions to achieve a goal.

it was aimed for

Indicates a specific target or goal that was intended.

it has been aimed at

Slightly alters the preposition to specify the target.

it has been strived for

Highlights the effort and dedication involved in the pursuit.

it was intended

Focuses on the original intention or purpose.

search for it has been conducted

More formally emphasizes the investigative process.

FAQs

What does "it has been sought" mean?

The phrase "it has been sought" means something has been looked for, desired, or pursued, often implying a deliberate and persistent effort to find or obtain it. It is a formal way of saying something has been searched for.

When is it appropriate to use "it has been sought" in writing?

Use "it has been sought" in formal or academic writing when you want to emphasize the importance or value of something that has been looked for or pursued. It adds a layer of formality and deliberation to the search or pursuit.

Are there synonyms for "it has been sought" that I can use in different contexts?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it has been desired", "it has been pursued", or "it has been looked for". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "it has been sought" differ from "it was sought"?

"It has been sought" implies that the search or desire continues to have relevance in the present, whereas "it was sought" suggests that the search or desire occurred in the past and may no longer be ongoing or relevant.