seeks to define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeks to define" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an attempt to clarify or explain the meaning of a concept, term, or idea. Example: "The author seeks to define the key principles of sustainable development in her latest book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it also seeks to define us as a nation.

The Economist

Roger seeks to define his political or journalistic opponents and destroy them".

The New Yorker

The list, which includes ending Medicare and getting rid of Planned Parenthood, again seeks to define Romney as an extremist.

The Guardian

"It's an inaccurate portrayal of the community that seeks to define the community by only its biggest challenges," Mr. Morial said.

The New York Times

Wilde seeks to define the individual type of the coming socialist age: "With the abolition of private property, then, we shall have true, beautiful, healthy individualism.

The Guardian

The real argument lies in the demographics, which become crushingly clear for a state that seeks to define itself as Jewish.

The New York Times

It seeks to define jazz as an art (or a folk art) that has come out of no intelligent body of socio-cultural philosophy.

The New Yorker

Liberalism seeks to define and justify the legitimate powers of government in terms of certain natural or God-given individual rights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Casual about the American Prosperity Foundation, Inc., an office-based sampling organization which seeks to define issues as issues or non-issues.

The New Yorker

The comments suggest the Labour leader has decided to appeal directly to the youth vote as he seeks to define, and inject steel, into his leadership.

The Guardian

The Commission will pay close attention to Section 83 of the Equality Act, which seeks to define a person's employment status and whether they are subject to the Act.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeks to define" when you want to express a deliberate and purposeful attempt to clarify the meaning of something. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is making the effort to define.

Common error

While "seeks to define" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like '"aims to define"' or '"attempts to define"' to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a richer vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeks to define" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often introduces a clarification or specification of a concept, term, or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seeks to define" is a grammatically correct and widely used infinitive phrase that expresses a deliberate attempt to clarify the meaning of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedias. It's best used when you want to emphasize the intent behind the effort to define something, and while acceptable in formal writing, varying your language can enhance your writing style. Remember to use "seek" with plural subjects and "seeks" with singular subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims to define

Emphasizes the intention or goal of defining something.

attempts to define

Highlights the effort made to define, potentially implying a challenge.

tries to define

Similar to 'attempts to define', but can suggest a more experimental approach.

endeavors to define

Implies a serious and sustained effort to establish a definition.

strives to define

Suggests a determined and persistent effort to create a definition.

intends to define

Focuses on the planned or purposed definition.

sets out to define

Highlights the beginning of an effort to define something.

works to define

Emphasizes the active process of defining.

is designed to define

Focuses on the intended purpose or function to define something.

purports to define

Implies the claim or pretense of defining something, potentially with skepticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeks to define" to describe an effort to clarify or explain the meaning of something, as in "This study "seeks to define" the key components of effective leadership."

What are some alternatives to "seeks to define"?

Alternatives to "seeks to define" include '"aims to define"', '"attempts to define"', and '"tries to define"', depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "seek to define" instead of "seeks to define"?

"Seek to define" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "Researchers seek to define"), while "seeks to define" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "This study seeks to define").

What's the difference between "seeks to define" and "attempts to define"?

"Seeks to define" implies a deliberate and purposeful effort, while ""attempts to define"" suggests an effort that may or may not be successful.