seek work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek work" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in the context of looking for a job or trying to obtain employment, for example, "I have been seeking work for many months now with no success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He continues to seek work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Recipients are obliged to seek work.

The Economist

They also would not let him seek work outside Suining.

The New York Times

Do unemployment benefits reduce the incentive to seek work?

The New York Times

He left to seek work in the rice harvest.

The Guardian

Others might seek work in restaurants or retail.

The New York Times

Stuart, a writer, is unemployed and doesn't seek work.

The New Yorker

Top scientists are advising new graduates to seek work abroad.

The Guardian

More cancer patients too ill seek work now qualified for automatic long-term benefits, he added.

Independent

In the old days, Zambians flocked to Zimbabwe to seek work; now it is vice versa.

The Economist

Because many fewer French college students have to seek work, thanks to vastly more generous scholarships.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek work" when you want to emphasize the process of actively looking for a job, rather than just having one. For example, "Many graduates actively "seek work" after graduation."

Common error

Avoid using "seek work" when describing someone who is passively waiting for job offers. "Seek work" implies active engagement in the job search process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek work" functions as a verb phrase, where "seek" is the main verb and "work" acts as its object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It describes the action of actively searching for employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the active pursuit of employment. Ludwig confirms its correctness and highlights its presence across various sources, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider options such as "look for employment" or "search for a job", depending on the desired level of formality. Remember that "seek work" implies an active effort, so avoid using it when describing passive job-seeking behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for employment

Replaces "seek" with the more common verb "look for" and "work" with the more formal "employment".

search for a job

Uses "search" instead of "seek", and "job" instead of "work", making it slightly more specific.

find a job

Focuses on the act of finding rather than the process of seeking.

hunt for a position

Employs a more active and assertive verb, "hunt", and a more formal noun, "position".

pursue employment

Uses "pursue" which implies a more determined and active approach.

try to get a job

A more informal and straightforward way of expressing the same idea.

scout for opportunities

Implies actively searching and identifying potential employment openings.

explore job options

Focuses on investigating different possibilities in the job market.

be on the lookout for work

Expresses an active state of searching, but in a more passive way.

canvass for jobs

Refers to actively soliciting or requesting jobs, often in a specific area or industry.

FAQs

How can I use "seek work" in a sentence?

You can use "seek work" to describe the active process of looking for a job. For example: "After the factory closed, many residents had to "seek work" in other towns." or "The government provides resources to help unemployed citizens "seek work" efficiently.

What are some alternatives to "seek work"?

Alternatives to "seek work" include "look for employment", "search for a job", or "find a job". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "seek work" or "look for a job"?

"Seek work" tends to be slightly more formal than "look for a job". The latter is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while "seek work" might be preferred in formal writing or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "seeking work" and "having a job"?

"Seeking work" refers to the active process of trying to find employment, implying that one does not currently have a job. "Having a job", on the other hand, indicates that one is currently employed.