seeking to express

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking to express" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an intention or desire to convey thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Example: "The author is seeking to express the complexities of human emotions through her poetry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The avenues through which Cantona is seeking to express his ideas keep multiplying.

The Guardian - Sport

And art seeking to express history doesn't need to stay the same.

The Guardian

Of course, § 700 does not bar petitioners from seeking to express their message by other means; but that is immaterial.

Cornell University

The director portrayed in the movie has spent two years documenting the disillusionment of youths seeking to express their artistic ideas.

The New York Times

United States District Court Judge Patrica A. Gaughan ruled that Rush's portrayal was "an artistic creation seeking to express a message".

The New York Times - Sports

Just as agents seeking to express themselves in alphabetic writing need to be literate, "egents" who seek to express themselves in digital media need to be to use a term coined by cybertheorist Gregory Ulmer electrate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Mohr sought to express the intersection between rationality and expressiveness in his artwork, something he first recognized during his training in both fine arts and jazz.

Vice

Trained as both a jazz musician and fine artist, Mohr sought to express the intersection between rationality and expressiveness in his artwork, something he first recognised in music.

Vice

To address this difficulty, we sought to express genes for several human GPCRs in Escherichia coli.

Protein Expression and Purification

"Like the flâneur, Dylan seeks to express the viewpoint of silent, unnoticed victims".

The New York Times - Books

In 1990, Vargas Llosa sought to express his political commitment in something other than fiction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeking to express" when you want to emphasize the active pursuit of articulating thoughts, feelings, or ideas, particularly in creative or intellectual contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking to express" in very casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "trying to say" or "wanting to show" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking to express" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase to indicate purpose or intent. As confirmed by Ludwig, it demonstrates an active endeavor to articulate thoughts or feelings. It often modifies a verb, clarifying the motivation behind an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeking to express" effectively conveys a deliberate attempt to articulate thoughts, feelings, or ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it a reliable choice for conveying intent, particularly in creative, intellectual, or formal contexts. While its register leans toward neutral to formal, its versatility is evident in its presence across diverse sources, including news media, academic publications, and encyclopedias. However, writers should avoid overuse in casual writing. Ultimately, it clearly conveys an active pursuit of articulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming to articulate

Replaces "seeking" with "aiming" and "express" with "articulate", focusing on clear verbalization.

trying to convey

Substitutes "seeking" with "trying" and "express" with "convey", emphasizing the effort to communicate.

attempting to communicate

Replaces "seeking" with "attempting" and "express" with "communicate", focusing on the broader act of conveying information.

endeavoring to articulate

Uses more formal vocabulary like "endeavoring" and "articulate", suggesting a more deliberate effort.

striving to verbalize

Replaces "seeking" with "striving" and "express" with "verbalize", highlighting the effort to put thoughts into words.

desiring to communicate

Emphasizes the desire to communicate rather than the act of seeking.

wanting to articulate

Focuses on the wish to articulate thoughts or feelings.

intending to convey

Highlights the intention behind the act of conveying information.

planning to communicate

Focuses on the planned aspect of communication.

wishing to verbalize

Highlights the wish to put something into words.

FAQs

What is an alternative to "seeking to express"?

You can use alternatives like "aiming to articulate", "trying to convey", or "attempting to communicate depending on the context.

How do I use "seeking to express" in a sentence?

The phrase "seeking to express" is typically followed by the object of the expression. For example, "The artist is seeking to express their innermost feelings through their work."

When is it appropriate to use "seeking to express"?

It's appropriate when describing a deliberate effort to articulate thoughts, feelings, or ideas, often in creative, intellectual, or formal settings.

Is "seeking to express" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "seeking to express" leans towards formal usage. In casual conversation, consider alternatives like "trying to say" or "wanting to show".