seek to

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the intention of achieving or accomplishing something. For example: We seek to improve public education in our community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They seek to divide Londoners.

Independent

"Seek to build it together".

The New York Times

We seek to understand.

University of California, Berkeley

"It does not seek to influence currencies".

The New York Times

More people then seek to avoid taxes.

The Economist

What do we seek to be?

The New York Times

Others will seek to focus themselves locally.

The New Yorker

The Brooklynite "will never seek to edify.

The New Yorker

That's what we seek to do".

The Guardian - Sport

We do not seek to isolate ourselves.

The New York Times

Britain would seek to repatriate powers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek to" when you want to express a deliberate and intentional effort to achieve a specific objective. It adds a touch of formality and seriousness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seek to" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "try to" or "want to" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. It connects a verb with the intended outcome, showing what someone is trying to achieve. For example, "They seek to improve transparency."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey intention and purpose, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, it should be used judiciously in casual settings. Its primary function is to connect an action with a desired outcome, and it appears most commonly in news, wiki, and business-related sources. When a less formal tone is desired, consider alternatives like "aim to", "try to", or "strive to". Remember that choosing the best alternative will depend on what you are trying to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to

Implies a directed effort toward a specific goal; slightly less formal.

strive to

Suggests a more persistent and effortful attempt to achieve something.

attempt to

Indicates an action taken with the possibility of failure.

try to

A more general term for making an effort, less formal than "seek to".

endeavor to

A more formal and often literary way of saying "try to".

aspire to

Suggests a higher level of ambition and desire.

intend to

Expresses a firm plan or decision to do something.

plan to

Implies a detailed arrangement for future action.

pursue

Focuses on the action of following or striving for a goal.

work towards

Highlights the ongoing effort and progress toward a desired outcome.

FAQs

How to use "seek to" in a sentence?

Use "seek to" to express an intention or effort to achieve something. For example, "We "seek to" improve our services."

What can I say instead of "seek to"?

You can use alternatives like "aim to", "try to", or "strive to" depending on the context.

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

"Seek to" is generally used as an infinitive form. "Seeking to" can be used as a participle phrase to describe an ongoing action. For example, "Seeking to improve, the company invested in new technology."

What's the difference between "seek to" and "try to"?

"Seek to" often implies a more formal and determined effort, while "try to" is more general and less assertive.