seek to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek to determine" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to try or attempt to figure out or establish something. Example: In order to solve the mystery, the detective sought to determine the identity of the culprit.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We seek to determine how this information is encoded and how it is interpreted.

Yale University

Investigators will now seek to determine if Mr. Merah indeed acted alone, as he insisted.

The New York Times

Officials said an investigation would seek to determine the identities and origins of the militants.

The New York Times

We seek to determine whether an association exists between discharge glucose and 7-day adverse outcomes.

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Many cognitive and clinical neuroscience research studies seek to determine how contextual factors modulate cognitive processes.

NeuroImage

Here we seek to determine whether the hypothesized hierarchical structure is valid in adult smokers.

Addictive Behaviors

We seek to determine the unknown parameters such that prescribed first-order reliability indices are obtained.

Structural Safety

We seek to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the industry and to perceive opportunities for further development.

Chemical Engineering Science

That has been a concern of most marketers as they seek to determine the right approach for these new times.

The New York Times

The Postal Inspection Service would examine the postage and postmarks and seek to determine where the envelopes were mailed from.

The New York Times

Oil companies, he says, should not seek to determine a country's energy mix: that is for the government to decide.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider replacing "seek to determine" with a more precise verb that reflects the specific method of investigation or discovery. For example, use "analyze", "investigate", or "evaluate" to add clarity.

Common error

In less formal writing, avoid using "seek to determine" too frequently, as it can sound overly academic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try to find out" or "figure out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to determine" functions as an infinitive phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier to express the purpose of an action. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to describe the intention behind an investigation, study, or inquiry. Its use indicates a goal-oriented approach.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to determine" is a commonly used phrase that expresses the intent to investigate or establish something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in formal contexts like science, news, and academia. While versatile, consider using more specific verbs to enhance clarity in formal writing and simpler alternatives to maintain a natural tone in informal settings. Remember to vary your vocabulary with alternatives like "aim to ascertain" or "try to establish" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to establish

Replaces "seek to" with "try to", making the phrase slightly less formal while maintaining the same core meaning.

aim to ascertain

Uses "ascertain" which is a more formal synonym for determine, implying a rigorous effort to establish something.

attempt to discover

Substitutes "determine" with "discover", emphasizing the process of finding something previously unknown.

strive to identify

Uses "strive" to indicate a dedicated effort and replaces "determine" with "identify", focusing on recognizing or establishing what something is.

endeavor to find out

Replaces "seek" with "endeavor", conveying a more earnest or diligent effort to learn something.

undertake to investigate

Implies a more structured or formal approach than "seek to determine".

set out to resolve

Suggests a focus on solving or clarifying something, offering a slightly different emphasis than simply determining.

work towards figuring out

This alternative is less formal and conversational; "figuring out" is a simpler way of saying "determine".

look to clarify

Focuses on making something clearer or more understandable rather than just determining it.

make an effort to learn

More directly expresses the intention to gain knowledge, replacing "determine" with a broader concept of learning.

FAQs

How can I use "seek to determine" in a sentence?

You can use "seek to determine" to express an effort to find out or establish something. For example, "Researchers "seek to determine" the cause of the disease".

What are some alternatives to "seek to determine"?

You can use alternatives like "aim to ascertain", "try to establish", or "attempt to discover" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "seek to determine" or "try to determine"?

"Seek to determine" is generally more formal and implies a more deliberate or methodical effort than "try to determine". The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "seek to determine" and "look to clarify"?

"Seek to determine" implies an effort to find something out, while "look to clarify" suggests an effort to make something clearer or more understandable. The difference lies in the goal: discovery versus clarification.