it was sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was sought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was desired or pursued in the past. Example: "The information was crucial, and it was sought by many researchers in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

When marble was discovered in 1822, it was sought after nationwide by architects and builders because of its quality and quantity for use in Greek Revival structures like the Capitol and the Washington Monument.

The New York Times

In Egypt it was sought for embalming and witchcraft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Punk rock" became a more general-use term, as slippery as it was sought after.

The New Yorker

It was sought out that the concentration of chromic complexes in the chromic bath with formic acid was closely dependent on pH.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It was sought by candidates of the Green and Libertarian parties, not the Green and Independent parties.

The New York Times

The six-page opinion was delivered less than two weeks after it was sought by Mr. Paterson.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Israel said it was seeking arms-smuggling tunnels.

The Economist

Dial said yesterday that it was seeking a buyer.

The New York Times

That change provided Diageo with the window it was seeking.

The New York Times

Nokia did not specify a dollar amount it was seeking.

The New York Times - Tech

Last week, it was seeking $5.5 million in new investment.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was sought" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the search or desire for something, highlighting what was being looked for rather than who was looking for it. For example, "The truth was sought by many investigators."

Common error

Avoid using "it was sought" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "It was sought by the company to improve efficiency", consider "The company sought to improve efficiency."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sought" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that something was the object of a search or desire. As Ludwig shows, this construction appears in various contexts, emphasizing what was being looked for rather than who was seeking it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was sought" is a common phrase used in passive voice to indicate that something was desired or looked for. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in science, news and media, and academic contexts. The phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, is grammatically correct and particularly useful when the focus is on the object of desire rather than the actor. While alternatives like "it was desired" or "it was requested" exist, "it was sought" often conveys a slightly more formal and deliberate tone. When writing, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate and that the emphasis aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was desired

Replaces "sought" with a more common synonym, indicating a wish or longing for something.

it was requested

Indicates a formal appeal or asking for something.

it was pursued

Emphasizes the action of actively trying to obtain something.

it was looked for

A more informal way of saying something was searched for.

it was aimed for

Suggests a goal or target that was intended to be reached.

it was strived for

Highlights the effort and dedication put into achieving something.

it was intended

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind an action.

it was needed

Emphasizes the necessity or requirement of something.

it was in demand

Highlights the popularity and high level of interest in something.

there was a demand for it

Expresses that something was highly requested or required.

FAQs

How can I use "it was sought" in a sentence?

Use "it was sought" to indicate that something was desired or looked for. For example, "The treasure was sought by many adventurers."

What phrases can I use instead of "it was sought"?

You can use alternatives like "it was desired", "it was requested", or "it was pursued" depending on the context.

Is "it was sought" formal or informal?

"It was sought" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "it was looked for". The level of formality can depend on the surrounding context.

Which is correct, "it was sought" or "it is sought"?

The correct phrase depends on the time frame. "It was sought" refers to something desired or looked for in the past, while "it is sought" refers to something currently desired or looked for.