seek alternatives

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek alternatives" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to searching for different possibilities, or choice of options. For example, "We should seek alternatives to this policy, as it does not seem to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's seek alternatives.

The New York Times

That will prompt fans to seek alternatives.

The New York Times - Sports

"High stakes" is a cliché; let's seek alternatives.

The New York Times

Besides cost, they mainly seek alternatives out of fear.

Harvard University

But Mr. de Blasio has said he would seek alternatives to closing schools as mayor.

The New York Times

Bad governance and lazy owners risk feeding the inclination in Brussels to seek alternatives.

The Economist

Doctors and patients tend to seek alternatives to drugs for which pre-authorization is required.

The New York Times

And, for the moment, there is no outside pressure on the company to seek alternatives.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, Mr. Fisher encouraged some board members to seek alternatives to a sale.

The New York Times

So DuPont and other companies waited to seek alternatives, according to company scientists.

The New York Times - Science

Clearly, Australia must seek alternatives, and they must be as close to home as possible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates why one would "seek alternatives". Providing the reason enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

While "seek alternatives" is acceptable, avoid overuse. Vary your language with synonyms like "explore options" or "consider other routes" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek alternatives" functions as a verb phrase, where 'seek' is the verb indicating the action of searching and 'alternatives' is the noun representing the object of that search. Ludwig AI shows it is used in sentences where different options or approaches are being considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek alternatives" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe the process of searching for different options or solutions. Its usage spans various contexts, with a leaning towards news, scientific, and business domains. When writing, ensure the reason for seeking alternatives is clear and avoid overusing the phrase by incorporating synonyms like "explore other options" or "consider alternate routes". The phrase presents a neutral to formal tone, suitable for diverse professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explore other options

Focuses on a broader exploration of choices.

look for different solutions

Emphasizes problem-solving and finding resolutions.

consider alternate routes

Implies a change in direction or approach.

investigate other possibilities

Suggests a thorough examination of potential choices.

find alternative methods

Focuses on discovering different procedures or techniques.

search for substitutes

Highlights the act of finding replacements or stand-ins.

pursue other avenues

Indicates an active effort to follow different paths.

identify alternative strategies

Focuses on recognizing and selecting different plans or approaches.

evaluate other choices

Implies a careful assessment of available options.

seek a replacement

Emphasizes finding an item that take place of the original one.

FAQs

How can I use "seek alternatives" in a sentence?

You can use "seek alternatives" to express the act of looking for other options or solutions when the current one is not working. For example, "Due to budget constraints, we need to "seek alternatives" to our current marketing strategy."

What are some synonyms for "seek alternatives"?

Some synonyms for "seek alternatives" include "explore other options", "consider alternate routes", or "investigate other possibilities". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "seek alternatives" a formal or informal phrase?

"Seek alternatives" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for both professional and academic writing. In very informal contexts, you might opt for simpler language like "look for other options".

When should I use "seek alternatives" instead of "find solutions"?

Use "seek alternatives" when you are in the initial stage of looking for different options, not necessarily focused on solving a specific problem. "Find solutions" implies a more direct approach to resolving an issue, while "seek alternatives" suggests a broader exploration of possibilities.