should seek to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should seek to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting an action or goal that someone is encouraged to pursue or achieve. Example: "Organizations should seek to improve their sustainability practices to reduce their environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should seek to build on that.

The Guardian

It should seek to change your life.

The New York Times

We should seek to be really good monopolists.

The New York Times

The West should seek to invert this equation.

The Economist

Is it something we should seek to encourage, above experience?

The Guardian - Opinion

Editors should seek to hold syndicates to these standards".

The New York Times

These are issues that we should seek to address".

The Guardian

We should seek to make it a reality everywhere.

The Guardian

Now we should seek to abolish these boards totally...

The New York Times

Future research should seek to address these gaps.

Comparative Migration Studies

The Government should seek to resolve this matter".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should seek to" when you want to suggest a proactive approach to problem-solving or goal achievement. It is suitable for conveying recommendations and encouragements in a variety of contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse. Phrases like "it should be sought to" can make your writing sound convoluted. Instead, focus on who should be seeking to do something, making your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should seek to" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase followed by an infinitive. It expresses a recommendation, suggestion, or advice. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should seek to" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for suggesting a desired action or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequency across diverse contexts such as science, news, and business. While alternatives like "ought to strive to" or "should aim to" exist, "should seek to" maintains a balance of formality and clarity, making it a versatile choice for effective communication. Avoiding overuse of passive voice constructions enhances the impact of your writing when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to strive to

Similar in meaning but emphasizes effort and determination in achieving the goal.

should aim to

Indicates a direction or target for effort, slightly less formal.

should aspire to

Implies a higher level of ambition and desire.

should endeavor to

More formal and emphasizes a serious attempt or effort.

should strive for

Focuses on continuous effort toward a specific outcome.

should work towards

Highlights the process and steps involved in reaching a goal.

needs to attempt to

Indicates a necessity to make an effort, potentially under pressure.

must try to

Expresses a strong obligation or requirement to make an attempt.

is advised to pursue

Suggests a recommendation to follow a particular course of action.

is encouraged to work toward

Implies support or motivation to engage in a specific activity or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "should seek to" in a sentence?

The phrase "should seek to" is used to recommend or suggest a particular course of action. For example, "The government "should seek to" improve healthcare access for all citizens".

What are some alternatives to "should seek to"?

Alternatives include "ought to strive to", "should aim to", or "should aspire to" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "should seek to" formal or informal?

"Should seek to" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. More informal alternatives might include phrases like "try to" or "aim to".

What's the difference between "should seek to" and "must seek to"?

"Should seek to" implies a recommendation or suggestion, while "must seek to" indicates a necessity or obligation. "Must seek to" conveys a stronger sense of urgency or importance.