seeking to better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking to better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to improve a situation, oneself, or something else. Example: "The organization is seeking to better its community outreach programs to serve more people in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing prevents men from seeking to better understand their feelings.

The Washington Post

(In recent weeks the consortium has put out advertising seeking to better explain the project).

The New York Times

Dr. Hawking has also worked with other inventors seeking to better elucidate his thoughts.

The New York Times

The physicist has also worked with other inventors seeking to better elucidate his thoughts.

The New York Times - Science

In their own desperate way, the migrants in Calais are seeking to better themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Seeking to better understand these relationships, we launched a second round of research.

Harvard Business Review

A year later, the leasing program was revamped, seeking to better clarify which lands were appropriate for drilling.

The New York Times

KPIs are less the points of a compass than a GPS visualization for managers seeking to better navigate complexity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Our study has implications for districts seeking to better capture and transfer important organizational leadership knowledge and skills.

Stanford University

Schang is seeking to better understand how viruses ensure their genetic information gets turned into action by studying herpesviruses.

Cornell University

This event aims to forge bridges between Chinese and American scholars, innovators, and policymakers seeking to better understand their counterparts.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seeking to better", ensure that the object of improvement is clearly defined. For example, specify what you are seeking to improve, such as "seeking to better understand customer needs".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "seeking to better" can sound overly formal or verbose in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "trying to improve" or "wanting to enhance" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking to better" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the aim or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms it's frequently used to express a desire to improve something, either oneself or a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seeking to better" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to indicate a deliberate intention to improve or enhance a particular aspect or situation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While acceptable across various registers, opting for simpler phrasing may be preferable in casual settings. Understanding its nuances, as highlighted by the alternative phrases and usage guidance, can help enhance clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving to better

Replaces "seeking" with "striving", emphasizing continuous effort.

aiming to improve

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more direct expression of intent.

endeavoring to enhance

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the effort to improve something.

working to refine

Focuses on the process of making something more polished or precise.

trying to ameliorate

Emphasizes efforts to make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

pursuing enhancement of

Highlights the active pursuit of improvement as a goal.

committed to improving

Conveys a strong dedication to making positive changes.

focused on advancing

Shifts the focus to progress and forward movement.

dedicated to perfecting

Implies a commitment to achieving an ideal or flawless state.

determined to upgrade

Suggests a firm resolve to raise the quality or standard of something.

FAQs

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

Use "seeking to better" to express an intention to improve something. For example, "The company is seeking to better its customer service" or "Researchers are "seeking to better understand" the effects of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "seeking to better"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "aiming to improve", "striving to enhance", "trying to ameliorate", or simply "improving". Consider the level of formality and desired emphasis when choosing an alternative.

Is it better to say "seeking to improve" or "seeking to better"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "seeking to improve" is often more direct and concise. "Seeking to better" emphasizes the act of making something good even better. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "seeking to better" and "trying to improve"?

"Seeking to better" often suggests a more strategic or formal effort toward improvement, while "trying to improve" can imply a more general or informal attempt to make things better. The best choice depends on the context and the intended tone.