seek to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are looking to investigate and uncover the specifics of something. For example: "We sought to identify the source of the strange noise coming from outside the house".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the impact the Lancet authors seek to identify.

The Economist

Instead, the council will seek to identify and study new methods of measurement, they said.

The New York Times

This office will seek to identify and punish it when it occurs.

The New York Times

Combat units seek to identify themselves by wearing T-shirts of the same colour.

The Economist

Maximum likelihood methods seek to identify the most likely tree, given the available data.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A merchant ship in the area has been tasked to relocate and seek to identify the material.

The Guardian

"We have and will aggressively move to seek to identify these people and remove them from office".

The New York Times

It will seek to identify areas of underachievement and set out a shared vision and standard for young people.

The Guardian

"We will aggressively seek to identify child pornography sites with method of payment information attached,'' Mr. Allen said.

The New York Times

The commission and the parliament are supra-national institutions that seek to identify and promote pan-European policies.

The Economist

His statistical patterns seek to identify the occasional irrationalities.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek to identify", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are trying to find or determine. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

While "seek to identify" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "try to find" or "look for" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to identify" functions as an infinitive phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier to express purpose. It indicates the reason or goal behind an action, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek to identify" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to convey the intent of discovering or determining something specific. As Ludwig highlights, its use is prevalent across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business contexts. The formality of the phrase makes it particularly suitable for professional and academic writing, though it might be less appropriate in casual conversation. Alternatives like "aim to pinpoint" or "try to establish" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis. Ultimately, using "seek to identify" effectively involves ensuring clarity in the objective and adapting the tone to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to pinpoint

Focuses on precision in finding something specific.

attempt to determine

Highlights the effort made in the process of discovery.

try to establish

Emphasizes the goal of firmly setting or proving something.

work to recognize

Focuses on the labor involved in acknowledging something.

strive to ascertain

Implies a strong and persistent effort to find something out.

endeavor to discover

Highlights a serious and determined effort to find something new.

undertake to detect

Suggests a formal and deliberate action to find something present but hidden.

set out to find

Implies starting a journey or project with the specific intention of discovering something.

look to uncover

Focuses on revealing something that is currently hidden or not obvious.

plan to expose

Emphasizes the intention to reveal something, often something concealed or controversial.

FAQs

How to use "seek to identify" in a sentence?

Use "seek to identify" when you want to express an active effort to discover or determine something specific. For example, "Researchers seek to identify the factors contributing to climate change."

What can I say instead of "seek to identify"?

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

Which is correct, "seek to identify" or "try and identify"?

"Seek to identify" is generally more formal and precise. "Try and identify" is more informal and implies a less structured approach. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "seek to identify" and "attempt to identify"?

"Seek to identify" implies a more determined and strategic effort, while "attempt to identify" suggests a trial-and-error approach. The best choice depends on the nature and context of the effort being described.