seeking alternative

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeking alternative" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of trying to find an alternate solution or approach to a problem. For example, "The government is seeking alternative strategies to address the rising unemployment rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Travelers seeking alternative routes are now faced with additional challenges.

The New York Times

Authorities were seeking alternative accommodation arrangements for them.

The Guardian

The result is that migrants have been seeking alternative, often more perilous, routes.

The New York Times

The fastest change will be at the margins, driven by students seeking alternative offerings.

The Economist

The city is seeking alternative ways to finance that project, officials said.

The New York Times

LaCava insisted last month that he had no intentions of seeking alternative employment, despite Woods's stricken state.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps forlorn Jets fans, who have rarely had a winning team to support, are seeking alternative entertainment on game days.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Straus noted that arthritis joint pain and stiffness were among the leading reasons for seeking alternative medical treatments.

The New York Times - Health

Anne-Marie Woods said the teenager, from Warrington, had set out her reasons for seeking alternative accommodation.

The Guardian

Hapag-Lloyd and AIDA have said they are seeking alternative destinations and have urged the islanders to halt the practice.

The Guardian

It has been seeking alternative ways to produce the material that did not involve shipping weapons-grade uranium abroad.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is seeking an alternative to. For instance, specify "seeking alternative solutions" or "seeking alternative routes."

Common error

Avoid using "seeking alternative" when the subject isn't actively searching. Instead, use "alternative" as an adjective: "an alternative approach" rather than "seeking alternative approach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking alternative" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a continuous verb tense. As shown by Ludwig AI, it indicates the act of actively looking for a different or substitute option, as in "travelers seeking alternative routes."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking alternative" is a versatile phrase used to describe the active pursuit of a different option or solution. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific research. It is most often found in News & Media and Science. Although considered neutral in register, clarity is enhanced when the specific alternative being sought is clearly stated. Related options such as "exploring alternatives" and "considering alternatives" offer subtle variations in emphasis. To maximize clarity, always state what the "alternative" is for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking for alternatives

Uses more common and general vocabulary to express the search for different options.

exploring alternatives

Focuses on the active investigation of different options.

investigating alternatives

Highlights a more thorough and detailed examination of available options.

considering alternatives

Emphasizes the evaluation and contemplation of different options.

identifying alternatives

Focuses on the act of recognizing and naming available options.

pursuing alternatives

Implies a more active and determined effort to find and implement different options.

assessing alternatives

Highlights the evaluation of the value or efficacy of other options.

searching for substitutes

Specifically focuses on finding replacement options.

finding replacements

Places focus on a successful outcome of getting new substitutes.

developing alternatives

Stresses the creation or building of new options.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeking alternative" to describe the action of looking for a different option or solution. For example: "Travelers "seeking alternative routes" are faced with additional challenges."

What phrases are similar to "seeking alternative"?

Similar phrases include "exploring alternatives", "investigating alternatives", and "considering alternatives".

Is it always necessary to specify what the alternative is for when using "seeking alternative"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what the alternative is for provides clarity and context. For instance, instead of just saying "they are seeking alternative", specify "they are "seeking alternative solutions"".

What's the difference between "seeking alternative" and "finding alternative"?

"Seeking alternative" implies an ongoing search, while "finding alternative" suggests that a suitable alternative has been located. For example, one is "seeking alternative accommodation" until they "find alternative accommodation".