should be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

'should be sought' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that an action is recommended, obligatory, or desirable. Example sentence: Solutions to the climate crisis should be sought urgently.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In these areas skilled professionals should be sought after.

Harvard University

"The root of the evil should be sought in America".

Independent

Medical treatment should be sought immediately after the convulsion ceases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ultimately, it isn't a matter where credit should be sought.

The Guardian - Opinion

Balance should be sought when implementing controls from all ten domains of knowledge.

Eleventh Hour CISSP Study Guide

More engineering controls and administrative management should be sought to prevent overexposure to these airborne toxicants.

Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Sponsorship should be sought from registries and small organizations as well as larger entities.

Harvard University

Therefore some approximate solutions should be sought.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

In this scenario, other findings of endometriosis should be sought.

Insights into Imaging

Second, efficiency and innovation should be sought before funding PPPs.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Expert medical and air pollution expertise should be sought.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be sought", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being sought and why it is important. For example, specify "expert advice should be sought" rather than simply "advice should be sought".

Common error

Avoid using "should be sought" excessively in passive voice, as it can make writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active voice where appropriate to strengthen the message. Example: Instead of "Solutions should be sought by the team", try "The team should seek solutions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be sought" functions as a passive voice construction indicating a recommendation or necessity. Ludwig's examples illustrate that it is commonly used to suggest that something (advice, solutions, expertise) needs to be actively pursued or obtained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be sought" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a recommendation or necessity for actively pursuing or obtaining something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and academic writing, suggesting a formal and professional register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the object being sought is clearly defined. While useful, avoid overuse of passive constructions for stronger, more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be pursued

A direct synonym, replacing "sought" with "pursued" which carries a more active connotation.

ought to be pursued

Substitutes "should" with "ought to", maintaining a similar level of obligation but with a slightly more formal tone.

needs to be obtained

Replaces "sought" with "obtained", focusing on the acquisition aspect rather than the seeking process.

must be acquired

Emphasizes the necessity of acquisition, using "must" for a stronger sense of obligation and "acquired" to highlight attainment.

needs to be explored

Focuses on investigation and discovery, substituting "sought" with "explored" to emphasize a detailed examination.

requires investigation

Shifts the focus to the necessity of investigation, highlighting the formal requirement for further inquiry.

calls for examination

Similar to requiring investigation, but emphasizes the call to action for a detailed examination.

demands attention

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of giving focus to something, moving away from the seeking aspect.

merits exploration

Indicates that something deserves to be explored, focusing on the inherent value of exploration rather than the necessity of seeking.

warrants consideration

Highlights the worthiness of something to be considered, rather than actively sought.

FAQs

How can I use "should be sought" in a sentence?

You can use "should be sought" to express that something needs to be pursued or obtained. For instance, "Expert advice "should be sought" when dealing with complex legal issues".

What are some alternatives to "should be sought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "ought to be pursued", "needs to be obtained", or "must be acquired", depending on the desired nuance and level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "should be sought"?

While "should be sought" is a passive construction and perfectly acceptable, using the active voice can often make your writing stronger and more direct. Consider rephrasing as "we should seek" or "experts should seek".

What does "should be sought" imply in a professional context?

In a professional context, "should be sought" typically implies that obtaining something is important, necessary, or recommended for achieving a desired outcome or avoiding potential problems. For example, "Professional independent advice "should be sought" to diversify and be aware of their tax liabilities".