seek answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek answer" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "seek an answer" or "seek answers." Example: "In order to resolve the issue, we must seek an answer from the experts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The questions were prepared by the researcher to seek answer to the research questions.

Language Testing in Asia

In this paper, we seek answer to the question: can a wireless sensing system with energy harvesting power supplies perform as well as the one with conventional power supplies?

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

All reflective persons at some point in their lives seek answer to the ultimate question: Why we are here?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Men seek answers.

The New York Times - Books

Now his family will seek answers post-mortem.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead Pardew will now "seek answers" from Kinnear.

The Guardian - Sport

"We came to court to seek answers from Mohammed Hassan Syeedy.

The Guardian

I can imagine her students loving her or equally not understanding her as they seek answers.

Independent

Courts are sometimes obliged to seek answers to questions about love that may well be unanswerable.

The Economist

Over the next two weeks, they will seek answers for you.

The New York Times

Yet they no longer seek answers in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel (yes, Hills Hills).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "seek an answer" (singular) or "seek answers" (plural) to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "Researchers often "seek answers" to complex questions".

Common error

Avoid using "seek answer" without the article "an" or pluralizing "answers". This omission is a common grammatical error and can make your writing sound unnatural. Always remember the distinction: singular requires "an" (seek an answer), and plural requires "answers" (seek answers).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek answer" functions as a verb phrase where "seek" is the verb, but it is grammatically incomplete without the article "an" or pluralization of "answer". As Ludwig AI points out, the correct forms are "seek an answer" or "seek answers".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "seek answer" might appear in various texts, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct forms are "seek an answer" (singular) or "seek answers" (plural). It's used to express the act of finding a response or solution. The usage ranges from neutral to formal, with common appearances in scientific and news contexts. Remember to always include the article or pluralize to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing. It is advisable to consider alternatives as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek answers

This is the plural form, used when looking for multiple responses or a general solution.

seek an answer

This is the grammatically correct singular form, using the indefinite article "an" before the noun "answer".

look for an answer

Replaces "seek" with "look for", which is more informal and common in everyday language.

search for a solution

Substitutes "answer" with "solution", implying a focus on resolving a problem.

find a response

Uses "find" instead of "seek", which is more direct. Also, "response" replaces "answer".

obtain a reply

Replaces both "seek" and "answer" with more formal alternatives: "obtain" and "reply".

pursue a resolution

Implies a more active and determined effort to find an answer or solution.

investigate the matter

Shifts the focus to a broader inquiry rather than just seeking a specific answer.

explore the issue

Similar to "investigate the matter", but emphasizes a more exploratory approach.

determine the outcome

Focuses on finding the result or consequence, rather than simply an answer.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "seek answer"?

No, the correct phrasing is "seek an answer" (singular) or "seek answers" (plural). The original phrasing omits a necessary article or pluralization.

What is a more formal way to say "look for an answer"?

A more formal alternative to "look for an answer" is "seek an answer" or "pursue a resolution", depending on the context.

How do I choose between "seek an answer" and "seek answers"?

Use "seek an answer" when you're looking for a single, specific response. Use "seek answers" when you're looking for multiple responses or general solutions.

What are some situations where I might "seek answers"?

You might "seek answers" in scientific research, when trying to solve a mystery, or when trying to understand a complex problem.