seek to isolate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek to isolate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts or intentions to separate or detach something or someone from a group or context. Example: "The researchers seek to isolate the variables in the experiment to determine their individual effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

We do not seek to isolate ourselves.

The New York Times

And does it seek to isolate him still further?

The New York Times

The group would also seek to isolate places that facilitate terrorist financing and find ways of stopping them from doing so.

The New York Times

But at the same time, he warned that Washington should not seek to "isolate certain parties at the expense of other parties".

The New York Times

He campaigned in 1936 on a pledge to "shun political commitments which might entangle us in foreign wars" and to seek to "isolate ourselves completely from war".

The New York Times

Russian ties with some of those countries have remained strained, and there is concern in some Russian political circles that the expanded European Union will seek to isolate Russia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Tino Sehgal seeks to isolate precisely that intangible quantity.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not accomplished by hindering free trade or seeking to isolate China".

The New York Times

In seeking to isolate America, France would run the risk of damaging its friends and isolating itself.

The Economist

At Foxconn, there is also a quasi-military style of management that seeks to isolate individual workers.

The Guardian

Photographing underwater is not easy, especially for someone seeking to isolate only its most romantic, liberating qualities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek to isolate" when you want to convey a deliberate effort to separate something or someone for a specific purpose, whether it's isolating variables in a scientific experiment or isolating a country diplomatically. Be mindful of the context to ensure the connotation aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "seek to isolate" interchangeably with verbs like "ignore" or "exclude" when the intended meaning is about separation or detachment, not simply overlooking or omitting. For instance, "seek to isolate" implies an active effort to keep something apart, while "ignore" suggests a lack of attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to isolate" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to isolate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the intention or effort to separate something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Appearing frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it carries a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal writing. While it is a versatile phrase, be mindful of potential negative connotations depending on the specific context. Alternatives include "attempt to segregate" and "try to detach", offering nuanced variations for expressing the act of separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to segregate

Focuses on a deliberate effort to separate, often with negative connotations.

try to detach

Emphasizes the effort to disconnect or disengage something.

aim to separate

Highlights the goal or intention of creating a distinction.

endeavor to segregate

Implies a more formal and serious effort to separate.

strive to set apart

Focuses on the effort to distinguish something from others.

pursue separation of

Emphasizes the active pursuit of separating something.

work to dissociate

Highlights the effort to break the connection between things.

undertake to detach

Suggests a formal commitment to disconnecting something.

aspire to segregate

Indicates a desire or ambition to separate.

plan to quarantine

Specifically implies isolating to prevent the spread of something, like a disease or idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "seek to isolate" to describe an effort to separate something for closer examination or to prevent influence. For example: "Researchers "seek to isolate" the gene responsible for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "seek to isolate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attempt to segregate", "try to detach", or "aim to separate".

Is there a difference between "seek to isolate" and "try to exclude"?

"Seek to isolate" implies an active effort to keep something separate, often for a specific purpose, while "try to exclude" suggests an attempt to prevent something from being included or considered. The nuance lies in the intent of separation versus omission.

When is it appropriate to use "seek to isolate" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "seek to isolate" in both formal and informal writing when describing efforts to separate something physically, conceptually, or diplomatically. Ensure that the connotation aligns with the intended meaning, as the phrase can sometimes carry negative implications depending on the context.