must be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'must be sought' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want express certainty that something must be done in order to obtain a desired result. For example: "A solution to this problem must be sought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The roots of evil must be sought in America".

The New York Times

The pleasures of the anthology must be sought elsewhere.

The New York Times - Books

Historical truth must be sought serenely, with impartiality.

The New York Times

The reason must be sought in the following facts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Barriers to living donation must be sought and defeated.

Stanford University

Now he writes that if negotiation fails, other alternatives must be sought.

The Economist

Thus, Hinduism maintains that truth must be sought in multiple sources, not dogmatically proclaimed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One is that regional peace must be sought as a goal, not a process.

The Economist

The appeal of the puppet must be sought at a deeper level.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When this gravity segregation does not occur, however, other means must be sought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Clues must be sought by comparing the matter content with theoretical calculations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be sought", ensure the context clearly indicates what action needs to be taken to find or obtain the desired outcome. For example, "If a solution is not immediately apparent, alternative approaches "must be sought"".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "must be sought". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be sought" functions as a passive construction indicating obligation or necessity. According to Ludwig, it expresses that a particular action or solution needs to be actively pursued or looked for. The auxiliary verb "must" denotes a strong degree of obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be sought" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the necessity of actively looking for or pursuing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. While it appears across a range of contexts, including scientific, news, and academic writing, it's most prevalent in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the need for action to find a solution or obtain a desired outcome. Be mindful of overusing passive voice; consider active alternatives for a more direct and engaging style. Overall, the phrase is a reliable choice for expressing the need for active pursuit, but it's important to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be pursued

Replaces "sought" with "pursued", indicating an active effort to achieve something. The nuance is that pursue suggests persistence.

needs to be found

Emphasizes the necessity of locating or discovering something, altering the focus from active searching to eventual finding.

has to be obtained

Highlights the requirement of acquiring or gaining something, shifting from a general search to a specific attainment.

must be identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or pinpointing something, changing the context to one of recognition rather than general searching.

should be investigated

Suggests a more formal or systematic inquiry is necessary, implying a detailed examination.

requires exploration

Highlights the need for a thorough examination or discovery process, emphasizing the exploratory aspect.

demands discovery

Emphasizes that discovery is not just preferred but essential. The change puts more weight on uncovering something.

warrants inquiry

Suggests that a formal investigation is justified or needed, shifting the emphasis to the appropriateness of an inquiry.

calls for attention

Emphasizes the need for something to be noticed or given focus, changing the context to one of highlighting importance.

necessitates searching

Focuses on the necessity of the act of searching itself, making it the primary point rather than the finding.

FAQs

What does "must be sought" mean?

The phrase "must be sought" means that something needs to be actively looked for or pursued. It indicates a necessity to find or obtain something through effort.

How can I use "must be sought" in a sentence?

You can use "must be sought" in sentences like: "If the initial plan fails, alternative solutions "must be sought"" or "A deeper understanding of the issue "must be sought" to find a resolution."

What are some alternatives to "must be sought"?

Alternatives to "must be sought" include "should be pursued", "needs to be found", or "has to be obtained". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "must be sought"?

While "must be sought" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "A solution "must be sought"," you could say "We must seek a solution."