seeking hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking hard" is not standard in written English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used to express a strong effort in searching for something, but it is better to use more common expressions. Example: "She is seeking hard to find a solution to the problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the frantic effort to sell the diamonds afterward was so ham-handed that some who watch the industry have begun to doubt the robbers were after diamonds at all, but were instead seeking hard cash.

The New York Times

Yet the Kremlin's reputation for seeking hard assets abroad in exchange for aid prompted speculation that negotiations were dragging as it bargained for stakes in offshore gas fields and Cypriot banks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Real estate funds gained nearly 8percentt as investors sought hard assets.

The New York Times

The Merval index has risen 56percentthis yearas Argentinesneseekek hard assets to protect wealth from a severe financial crisis and a sharply devalued currency.

The New York Times

Some left the island via diplomatic channels, others were exported privately and illegally, and some, particularly in the early 1990's, were put on the international market by Cuba itself as it sought hard currency.

The New York Times - Arts

Since the crushing electoral defeats suffered by Obama's party on Tuesday, the White House has sought hard to portray the president as open to compromise with his Republican opponents.

The Guardian

One way is to skip over the glowing patient testimonials and seek hard data about the medication's risks and how it performed in clinical trials.

Forbes

In the fifth principle, John Kerry mentioned a word that the Netanyahu government has sought hard to abolish from the political lexicon: occupation.

Huffington Post

These visionary poems seek hard-won wisdom and pared-down forms, like those Louise Glück discovered in "The Wild Iris," but mostly fall short of those stringent precedents.

The New York Times - Books

They have failed to cut interest rates fast enough (real rates are about 10%) to boost domestic demand, perhaps because they fear that domestic savers will panic and seek hard-currency havens, despite an officially closed capital account.

The Economist

I had come to characterize my deployment this way: it came at the tail end of a war that few regarded with interest anymore, a war that became more violent as we sought harder to stabilize it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intense effort, consider replacing "seeking hard" with more standard expressions like "trying diligently" or "striving earnestly."

Common error

Avoid relying on the phrase "seeking hard" in formal writing. While understandable, it's not widely recognized as grammatically correct and might weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended as a verb phrase modifying an action, aiming to intensify the effort involved in seeking something. Although used, its usage is questionable. Ludwig AI suggests it might be better to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeking hard" is used to describe a strong effort in searching. However, Ludwig AI's analysis suggests this is a non-standard expression that may not be grammatically correct in all contexts. While it appears in diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its use is rare. It's safer to opt for established alternatives like "trying diligently" or "striving earnestly" to ensure clarity and correctness in writing. The phrase's function is to emphasize the intensity, but it can be seen as awkward. Be mindful of audience and context when using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying diligently

This alternative emphasizes the effort and persistence involved in the attempt.

striving earnestly

This alternative suggests a sincere and serious effort.

working assiduously

This implies a dedicated and meticulous approach to the task.

endeavoring strenuously

This emphasizes the demanding nature of the effort.

pursuing vigorously

This highlights the intensity and energy of the pursuit.

searching intently

This focuses on the focused and careful search.

making a strong effort

This alternative is more general, describing a considerable exertion of effort.

pushing strenuously

This alternative suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.

exerting oneself greatly

This emphasizes the personal effort and dedication involved.

devoting much energy

This highlights the significant amount of energy dedicated to the activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the expression "seeking hard" in a sentence?

Consider alternatives like "trying diligently", "striving earnestly", or "searching intently" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "seeking hard"?

While understandable, "seeking hard" isn't considered standard English. It's generally better to use more common and grammatically accepted alternatives.

What's a more formal way to express "seeking hard"?

For formal contexts, opt for phrases like "endeavoring strenuously" or "working assiduously".

What's the difference between "seeking hard" and "trying hard"?

While both imply effort, "trying hard" is more widely accepted and grammatically sound. "seeking hard" can sound awkward or non-idiomatic to native English speakers.