seek to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the intention or desire to reply or react to something, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "In our discussions, we always seek to respond to the concerns raised by our clients promptly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

When a customer calls, people in these businesses seek to respond to the customer's needs above all else.

Harvard Business Review

The traditional systems have been studied in an isolated mode, seek to respond to a specific need and deal with a restricted set of variables.

Energy Procedia

Now, as they seek to respond to the problem, they are also trying to sort out who in Europe is responsible for dealing with such issues.

The New York Times

Ukip voters find this change deeply threatening, but if the Conservatives seek to respond to these fears, they risk trading short-term recovery for long-term disaster.

The Guardian - Opinion

A decision to pay compounded interest on pensions for lawmakers and judges could become politically potent as unions seek to respond to Mr. Madigan's reform measure, which was acted upon immediately in an apparent effort to bypass potential union opposition.

The New York Times

This lack of integration, some experts say, wastes some of the city's most valuable resources and could limit commanders as they seek to respond to a catastrophic attack or a series of smaller strikes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He sought to respond choreographically — and non-narratively — to the experience of being arrested during demonstrations.

The New York Times - Arts

The project seeks to respond to a humanitarian crisis created by a political conflict.

Columbia University

No wonder politicians are seeking to respond to this new public restiveness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clinton began shakily as she sought to respond to his constant barrage of attack tweets.

The Guardian

Such easy anonymity has profound implications for states or agencies seeking to respond to and deter cyberwar attacks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek to respond" in formal writing when you want to convey a sense of purpose and intention to address a specific issue or inquiry thoughtfully, rather than reacting impulsively.

Common error

Avoid using "seek to respond" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try to answer" or "want to reply".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to respond" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates an intention or aim to react or answer. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across various reliable sources, highlighting its use in expressing intentional actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to respond" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that expresses a purpose or intention to react or answer. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternatives like "try to answer" or "want to reply" may be more appropriate. "Seek to respond" conveys a proactive and thoughtful approach to addressing a situation, making it suitable for conveying purpose in more professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to answer

Focuses on the intention to provide an answer, possibly more direct than "seek to respond".

try to reply

Suggests an attempt to give a reply, implying less certainty of success than "seek to respond".

attempt to address

Emphasizes the effort to deal with a problem or issue, rather than just a response.

strive to react

Highlights the effort made in reacting, implying a potential difficulty or challenge.

endeavor to counteract

Implies an effort to neutralize or oppose something, adding a sense of active resistance.

work to resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem, rather than just responding to it.

plan to acknowledge

Highlights the intention to recognize or admit something, which might be a preliminary step to responding.

intend to counter

Emphasizes the purpose of opposing or negating something, adding a sense of conflict.

undertake to solve

Implies a commitment to finding a solution, suggesting a greater level of responsibility.

move to mitigate

Suggests taking actions to lessen the severity of something, adding a sense of damage control.

FAQs

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

The phrase "seek to respond" is typically used to describe an intention or effort to react to something, like: "The company will "seek to respond" to all customer inquiries within 24 hours".

What's a more informal way to say "seek to respond"?

For more informal situations, you could use phrases like "try to answer", "want to reply", or "aim to get back to" instead of ""seek to respond"".

Is "seek to respond" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, ""seek to respond"" is best suited for formal or professional contexts. In casual settings, it might sound too stiff. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

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

"Seek to respond" implies a more determined and thoughtful effort than "try to respond", which suggests simply making an attempt, without necessarily committing to a full or satisfactory answer.