seek for gold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek for gold" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is simply "seek gold." Example: "Many adventurers traveled west to seek gold during the gold rush."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jack London, later a famous American writer, left to seek for gold but made his money during the rush mostly by working for prospectors.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Electrochemical evidence of the surface reconstruction, induced thermally or potentially, was sought for ten gold single crystals with high Miller index faces, in order to assess the influence of the nature and density of steps.

Electrochimica Acta

As it was said, Englishmen went forth "to seek new worlds for gold, for praise, for glory".

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you like gold, seek a gold pencil case and gold pens, a gold keyring.

WikiHow

Black men shooting black men, cake-walking and jigging mixed with graphic chaos there's a perfect blend of that quasi-deep and pseudo-aware stew for the dude seeking the gold medal in the woke Olympics.

Vice

Many Iranians have been seeking to sell rials for gold and foreign currencies, fearful that their own money is becoming worthless.

The New York Times

It was the first stakes victory for Dream Supreme, a 3-year-old daughter of Seeking the Gold, and came against a field of 11.

The New York Times - Sports

In the autumn, an ounce reached a peak price of £1,194; today it is worth around £1,100 and analysts predict it could reach a new peak later this year or early next, as people seek safer investments, and demand for gold jewellery rises with the growing middle-classes in India.

The Guardian

The folk music singer/song-writer Brian McNeill wrote about one of St. Kilda's prodigal sons, a restless fellow named Ewan Gillies, who left St. Kilda to seek his fortune by prospecting for gold first in Australia and later California.

Wikipedia

Much as the Spanish conquistadors sought gold, Saddam Hussein fought for Kuwait's oil.

The New York Times

Jazil's sire is Seeking the Gold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the action of searching for gold, prefer the phrasing "seek gold", "search for gold", or "look for gold". These are grammatically standard and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "seek" when referring to the object of the search. The verb "seek" directly takes the object, making the preposition "for" redundant and grammatically incorrect. Instead of "seek for gold", say "seek gold".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek for gold" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to describe the act of searching. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct expression is simply "seek gold". While examples exist, the prevalent guidance steers towards omitting "for" for grammatical accuracy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Wiki

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "seek for gold" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct phrasing is simply "seek gold". The preposition "for" is unnecessary and creates redundancy. Alternatives like "search for gold" or "look for gold" are preferable. When writing, aim for clarity and grammatical accuracy by avoiding the extra "for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for gold

Replaces "seek" with "search", a more common and grammatically sound alternative.

look for gold

Uses "look" instead of "seek", offering a simpler and more direct way to express the action.

pursue gold

Emphasizes the act of chasing or striving for gold.

hunt for gold

Suggests a more active and determined search, similar to hunting game.

prospect for gold

Specifically refers to the activity of exploring an area for gold deposits.

mine for gold

Focuses on the extraction aspect of obtaining gold.

desire gold

Shifts the focus to the yearning or longing for gold.

aspire to find gold

Highlights the ambition and hope associated with finding gold.

be after gold

An informal way of saying someone is trying to get gold.

aim to acquire gold

More formally suggests intending to obtain gold, often through effort.

FAQs

Is "seek for gold" grammatically correct?

No, "seek for gold" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is simply "seek gold". The verb "seek" directly takes the object, making "for" unnecessary.

What's a better alternative to "seek for gold"?

Instead of "seek for gold", use "search for gold" or "look for gold". Both alternatives are grammatically sound and widely used.

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

You can use "seek gold" in a sentence like: "Many adventurers traveled west to seek gold during the gold rush".

What is the difference between "seek gold" and "search for gold"?

While both "seek gold" and "search for gold" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings, "search for gold" is more common in everyday language. "Seek gold" may sound slightly more formal or literary.