seek acclaim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek acclaim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the desire for recognition or praise for one's achievements or efforts. Example: "Many artists seek acclaim for their work, hoping to gain recognition in the competitive art world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Coca-Cola appears to be using the cover of the government's discredited responsibility deal to seek acclaim for bringing out a product that still contains over 4 teaspoons of sugar per 330ml can, which equates to one-quarter of a child's daily recommended maximum intake of sugar".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He still sought acclaim as a writer.

The New York Times - Books

Desperately seeking acclaim... Eugene Huetz in Madonna's Filth and Wisdom.

The Guardian - Film

"You did not expend your energy in preening and seeking acclaim," eulogized one of Mr. Moakley's dearest friends, William Bulger, who served with him years in the State Senate and who is now president of the University of Massachusetts.

The New York Times

Unlike self-congratulatory greats like say, Michael Jordan, José Mourinho, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Diego Maradona or even Tiger Woods, Roger Federer has never sought acclaim and his ego is not dependent upon being called the greatest of all time.

Huffington Post

Even your manipulative actions, often done in the open, are seeking acclaim or affirmation, expecting "they should agree; it's the best thing--for them".

WikiHow

In an age when many celebrities seek out acclaim for charitable acts, Paul Walker was sort of a secret saint, his charity has revealed.

Huffington Post

Someone spoke of young artists in the developing world who had been happily exploring their own traditions within the logic of their own culture, until they became aware of the vast sums that western artworks were attracting; after which many switched styles, seeking international acclaim in a tradition they didn't understand.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Protestants, Leitz said, it was just the right thing to do and he never sought any acclaim for his actions.

Huffington Post

We have words to describe the act of seeking moral acclaim for helping an individual whose life one harms -- "hypocritical" or "shameless" come to mind.

Huffington Post

It achieved, in fact, what Sukarno himself most joyously sought and acclaimed as "national identity," an exhilarating sense of pride in being Indonesian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek acclaim" when you want to emphasize the active and intentional pursuit of recognition or praise. For example, "The artist didn't just want to create; they wanted to "seek acclaim" for their unique vision."

Common error

Avoid using "seek acclaim" when the situation involves simply doing a good job or receiving routine compliments. "Acclaim" implies a level of widespread recognition or prestigious praise, not just everyday approval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek acclaim" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating an action or intention. It describes the act of actively pursuing public praise, recognition, or approval for one's achievements or qualities, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek acclaim" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the active pursuit of recognition and praise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally used correctly in a variety of contexts, particularly in news media, wiki articles and encyclopedias. When writing, remember that "acclaim" implies a level of widespread recognition beyond simple approval. Alternative phrases like "pursue recognition" or "strive for praise" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue recognition

Emphasizes the active effort to gain acknowledgment.

strive for praise

Highlights the effort made to earn commendation.

desire recognition

Focuses on the yearning for acknowledgment.

court fame

Implies attracting public attention and renown.

chase after applause

Suggests a vigorous pursuit of public approval.

aim for commendation

Focuses on directing efforts toward receiving praise.

long for approval

Conveys a deep desire for acceptance and positive feedback.

hunt for glory

Suggests a quest for achievement and honor.

try to gain respect

Highlights the intention of earning admiration and esteem.

wish for acknowledgement

Focuses on wanting confirmation of one's efforts or achievements.

FAQs

How to use "seek acclaim" in a sentence?

You can use "seek acclaim" to describe someone actively trying to gain recognition or praise, as in "The director chose a controversial subject to "seek acclaim" for their film".

What can I say instead of "seek acclaim"?

You can use alternatives like "pursue recognition", "strive for praise", or "desire recognition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "seek acclaim" or "seeking acclaim"?

"Seek acclaim" is used as an infinitive phrase, whereas "seeking acclaim" functions as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. Both are correct but used in different grammatical structures. For instance, "Many artists "seek acclaim", while "Seeking acclaim" can be a driving force for many artists".

What's the difference between "seek acclaim" and "seek fame"?

"Seek acclaim" focuses on gaining praise and positive recognition for specific achievements, whereas "seek fame" is a broader pursuit of widespread recognition and popularity, not necessarily tied to specific accomplishments. One implies the recognition of artistic, scientific or athletic excellence, whereas the other is more broad and general.