seeking to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the intention or effort to find or recognize something or someone. Example: "The researchers are seeking to identify the factors that contribute to climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was seeking to identify a thief at a residence hall for female students at Berkeley.

The New Yorker

Researchers are seeking to identify what in their immune systems is responsible for the phenomenon.

The New York Times - Health

The Metropolitan police are seeking to identify the woman on the tram.

The New Yorker

The F.B.I. is seeking to identify a second suicide bomber in the attack.

The New York Times

Flavourings are made by seeking to identify the volatile compounds in a food that form its flavour fingerprint.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dr. Neumann heads a staff of scientists and graduate students seeking to identify the essence of what makes people human.

The New York Times - Tech

They examined several social networking services, seeking to identify what makes them resilient and what could cause them to decline.

The Guardian - Tech

He focused on their family lives and upbringing, seeking to identify psychosocial factors that might have brought on mental illness.

The New York Times

Polls seeking to identify the worst US president of all time usually feature Franklin Pierce in their top five.

Independent

Instead, it channels grants through existing organizations, seeking to identify good projects that are already under way and to find new models and strategies that work.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of the most powerful techniques, sophisticated but relatively fast, zeroes in on a germ's genes, seeking to identify these most unambiguous signatures of microbial individuality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeking to identify" when you want to emphasize the active and intentional nature of the search or investigation. It conveys a sense of purpose and direction in the effort to find or recognize something specific.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is doing the identifying. For example, instead of "Information is being sought to identify...", use "Researchers are "seeking to identify"..." to maintain clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking to identify" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the aim or objective behind an action. It combines a verb in its progressive form ("seeking") with an infinitive phrase ("to identify"), clarifying the intention behind a particular action or study, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seeking to identify" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile expression used to convey the purpose of discovering or recognizing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a purpose clause, fitting seamlessly into various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While generally neutral to formal in register, its prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness for professional communication. When aiming for variety, alternatives such as "attempting to pinpoint" or "trying to determine" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to determine

A more straightforward and direct way of expressing the effort to find something out.

aiming to discover

Focuses on the goal of uncovering something new or previously unknown.

attempting to pinpoint

Emphasizes the effort to precisely locate or define something, adding a sense of determination.

looking to discern

Suggests a careful and perceptive effort to distinguish or recognize something.

endeavoring to ascertain

Implies a more formal and systematic effort to find something out with certainty.

with the goal of recognizing

Highlights the purpose of identifying or noticing something previously unseen.

researching to reveal

Highlights the investigation done to uncover something.

working to establish

Highlights the effort to firmly establish or prove something's existence or identity.

in an effort to detect

Focuses on detecting with the aim of using a method for finding something not easily noticed.

in order to find

Focuses on the aim of locating something, suggesting a direct search or investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeking to identify" to describe an effort to find or recognize something. For example: "The police are "seeking to identify" the suspect" or "Scientists are "seeking to identify" new biomarkers".

What are some alternatives to "seeking to identify"?

You can use alternatives like "trying to determine", "aiming to discover", or "attempting to pinpoint" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "seeking to identify" or "trying to identify"?

"Seeking to identify" is generally considered more formal than "trying to identify". The former is often preferred in academic or professional writing, while the latter is suitable for more casual contexts.

What is the difference between "seeking to identify" and "hoping to identify"?

"Seeking to identify" implies an active effort and investigation, whereas "hoping to identify" suggests a desire or wish to find something, without necessarily implying active steps are being taken.