seeks about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeks about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "seeks" typically does not pair with "about" in this way. Example: "He seeks about for answers to his questions" does not work well in English.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The suckling of a baby is at first an instinct: the child seeks about with its mouth.

Biology and Philosophy

The lawsuit seeks about $425 million from the bank.

The New York Times

The lawsuit, which seeks about $255 million, contends that the family was "completely derelict" in ensuring that the firm's operations were legal.

The New York Times

The plan Tsipras was selling — nearly identical to the one rejected by Greek voters in a referendum Sunday — seeks about $60 billion over the next three years in exchange for spending cuts expected to generate $13 billion to keep the creditors at bay and the government solvent.

Los Angeles Times

And while Boehner maintained that he did not agree with the president's latest proposal -- which seeks about $1.3 trillion in revenues and some $900 billion in spending cuts -- he ducked a question on whether he would be willing to give that proposal a vote.

Huffington Post

For instance: a baby seeks about with its mouth and this instinctive behaviour is triggered by a (internal or external) stimulus.

Biology and Philosophy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

TPR is understood to be seeking about £350m from Green.

The Guardian - Business

He's seeking about $13 million per year, with about $35 million guaranteed.

The New York Times

"My advice was not sought" about UN negotiating tactics, he writes.

The Guardian

Jay Z is said to be seeking about $15m, according to Norwegian media.

The Guardian

Financial terms were not revealed, but each was seeking about $20 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "seeks about" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "searches for" or "looks for" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not assume that "seeks about" is interchangeable with "searches for". "Seeks" typically requires a direct object (e.g., "seeks information"), while "searches for" is a phrasal verb that includes the preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeks about" functions incorrectly as an attempt to describe the action of searching or looking for something. Ludwig AI states that it is not a standard expression. A more appropriate verb construction should be used, such as "searches for" or "looks for".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "seeks about" appears in a limited number of contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and not a standard English expression. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard status. More appropriate alternatives like "searches for" or "looks for" should be preferred to ensure clarity and correctness. Although examples can be found in "News & Media" and "Science", the phrase remains questionable. When in doubt, always opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searches for

Replaces "seeks about" with a more common and grammatically correct phrasal verb indicating active searching.

looks for

Similar to "searches for", but with a slightly less formal tone.

is seeking

Indicates a continuous action of trying to find or obtain something.

attempts to find

Emphasizes the effort being made to locate something.

aims to locate

Highlights the goal of finding something specific.

endeavors to discover

Implies a more formal and determined effort to find something, often something hidden or unknown.

strives to acquire

Suggests a strong desire and effort to obtain something, usually something valuable.

pursues the acquisition of

A more formal and elaborate way of saying that someone is trying to get something.

is in pursuit of

Focuses on the act of chasing or following after something.

undertakes a search for

Indicates a planned and organized effort to find something.

FAQs

What does "seeks about" mean?

The phrase "seeks about" is not a standard English construction and is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is likely intended to convey a sense of "searching for" or "looking for" something, but it's not a recognized or recommended phrase.

What can I say instead of "seeks about"?

Better alternatives include "searches for", "looks for", or "is seeking". The best choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "seeks about" grammatically correct?

No, "seeks about" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "seek" usually takes a direct object without the preposition "about".

How can I use "seek" correctly in a sentence?

Use "seek" followed by a direct object (e.g., "seek information", "seek help"). If you want to express searching in a general area, use "search" with "about" or "around" (e.g., "search about the house") or, better yet, use "look for".