seeks to

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeks to" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone's intentions or motivations. For example: "The leader seeks to promote peace and stability in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Propaganda seeks to confound & demoralize.

The New Yorker

Khan seeks to go further.

The New York Times - Sports

Discovery relentlessly seeks to broaden its reach.

Independent

It seeks to seize others' space, too.

The New Yorker

It seeks to enchant the holy power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group seeks to represent everyone else.

The New York Times

Argentina's government seeks to go further.

The New York Times

It positively seeks to advertise them".

The New York Times

Every company seeks to maximise its profits".

The Guardian

He seeks to enable.

The Guardian

that seeks to educate and to challenge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeks to" when you want to clearly and formally express the intention or purpose behind an action. It adds a level of professionalism and directness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seeks to" in casual or informal writing. Alternatives like "aims to" or "is trying to" may be more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeks to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the goal or objective of an action. It connects a subject with a verb expressing an intention, as supported by the numerous examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeks to" is a very common and grammatically correct construction used to express intention or purpose. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While generally formal, it should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives like "aims to" or "intends to" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. Remember that "seeks to" implies a deliberate and strategic effort, making it ideal for expressing the goals of organizations or individuals in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims to

Replaces "seeks" with a synonym, maintaining the same intended meaning of striving towards a goal.

intends to

Focuses on the planned action, rather than the striving, while keeping the purpose clear.

attempts to

Highlights the effort being made, but may imply a possibility of failure.

endeavors to

Suggests a more formal and serious effort towards achieving something.

strives to

Emphasizes the continuous effort and dedication involved in achieving the goal.

desires to

Highlights the wish or longing to achieve a particular outcome.

is looking to

Uses a more conversational tone to express the intention of doing something.

has the objective of

Shifts the focus to the goal itself rather than the action of seeking.

pursues

More direct and concise verb to replace "seeks to", implies a determined effort.

works towards

Emphasizes the process and the gradual progress towards achieving a specific outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "seeks to" in a sentence?

The phrase "seeks to" is used to express an intention or purpose. For example: "The organization "seeks to" improve the lives of children in need."

What are some alternatives to "seeks to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "aims to", "intends to", or "attempts to" instead of "seeks to".

Is "seeks to" formal or informal?

"Seeks to" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "is trying to" or "wants to".

What is the difference between "seeks to" and "tries to"?

"Seeks to" suggests a deliberate and often strategic effort towards a goal, while "tries to" simply indicates an attempt, without necessarily implying a well-defined plan.