seeking a use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking a use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the search for a specific application or purpose for something. Example: "The researchers are seeking a use for the new material they developed in their lab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb Iran without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress?

The Guardian - Opinion

A few excerpts from that interview: Q:  In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb Iran without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress?

The New York Times

They seek a use variance to allow a change.

The New York Times

Bell used a prescribed medication under the care of a physician but without first seeking a therapeutic use exemption as required by World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

The New York Times - Sports

Those seeking a freeze use the settlements as evidence that growth is so out of control that drastic action must be taken.

The New York Times

On enrollment, pesticide applicators seeking a restricted-use pesticide license completed a self-administered questionnaire.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Seeking a wider audience, using important connections, he drummed into Lower Manhattan newsstand distribution a periodical called Oh! Golden Horse!

The New Yorker

They say they do not seek a larger use of natural resources, but a saner one that respects ecological equilibrium.

The New York Times

But when a study produced an $18 million estimate for the conversion of the school into governmental offices, village officials decided to seek a private use for the building.

The New York Times

The House Beautiful at Dix Hills Homeowners Association, which had encouraged the zoning board to seek a special use permit, called the court ruling "unfortunate".

The New York Times

But this year for the first time the landowner sought a land-use fee from the organisers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is "seeking a use". Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and intended application.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking a use" without clearly specifying what is being used or what it is intended for, as this can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking a use" functions as a verb phrase followed by an article and a noun, indicating the action of searching for an application or purpose. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seeking a use" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe the act of looking for a practical application or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English writing. While relatively infrequent, it is appropriate for professional, news, and scientific contexts. It's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the subject and intended application of the search. Alternatives include "looking for a use", "searching for an application", and "finding a purpose". Overall, the phrase is versatile and useful in a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking for a use

Simple substitution of "seeking" with "looking for", maintaining the original meaning.

searching for an application

Replaces "use" with "application", which implies a practical purpose.

finding a purpose

Focuses on the intention to discover a reason or function.

identifying a utilization

More formal and technical, replacing "use" with "utilization".

exploring potential applications

Emphasizes the act of investigating various possible uses.

investigating possible uses

Focuses on researching different ways something can be employed.

determining the utility

Formal alternative focusing on assessing usefulness or benefit.

pursuing a function

Implies actively working towards finding a specific role or task.

aiming to employ

Focuses on the intention to make something functional or active.

endeavoring to utilize

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the effort to find a practical use.

FAQs

How can I use "seeking a use" in a sentence?

You can use "seeking a use" to describe the process of finding an application or purpose for something. For example, "The researchers are "seeking a use" for the newly discovered compound."

What are some alternatives to "seeking a use"?

Alternatives include "looking for a use", "searching for an application", or "finding a purpose" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "seeking a use" or "finding a use"?

"Seeking a use" implies an ongoing search, while "finding a use" suggests the search has been successful. Choose the phrase that best reflects the current status of the activity.

What's the difference between "seeking a use" and "exploring potential applications"?

"Seeking a use" is a general phrase indicating a search for any kind of application. "Exploring potential applications" is more specific, suggesting an investigation into multiple possible uses or applications.