sought about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought about" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of searching for information or asking about something, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I sought about the best practices for remote work." (This usage is awkward and not recommended.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Information was specifically sought about: the number of times each medical healthcare resource was used, the reasons for use, the occurrence on such occasions of modifications of the APD treatment and the prescription of drugs for indications other than PD (non-APDs).

BMC Health Services Research

But a group of holdouts refused to accept that deal and sought about $1.5bn£0.6bnbn).

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Mr. Nixon's estate sought about $200 million for the various papers, tapes and photographs.

The New York Times

In 1998, Bloomberg sought about 350,000 square feet in the tower Vornado was planning.

The New York Times

Union negotiators had sought about $4 over three years, though Mr. Thiel indicated that this was negotiable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 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

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

The foundation is seeking about 400 works altogether; so far, it has recovered 16.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the non-standard phrase "sought about", opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "inquired about" or "sought information about" to ensure your writing is precise and professional.

Common error

The phrase "sought about" can sometimes be redundant. Ensure you're not unintentionally repeating the idea of searching, like saying "sought to find about", which is clearly incorrect. Always check if "sought" alone is sufficient or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought about" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to describe the action of seeking information or something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Despite its presence in some sources, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sought about" appears in some sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard English expression, and using it can make your writing appear awkward. Instead, opt for alternatives like "inquired about", "asked about", or "sought information about" to convey your message more clearly and professionally. These alternatives will ensure better grammatical correctness and enhance the clarity of your writing. Considering its presence in both Science and News & Media contexts, caution is needed to prevent misunderstanding or communication errors. Always use stronger and more authoritative sentence structures to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought information concerning

Maintains the verb "sought" but replaces "about" for better grammar.

asked about

Employs a simpler and more direct verb for seeking information.

inquired about

Uses a more formal verb to ask for information.

made inquiries regarding

Uses a more formal expression for asking questions.

requested information on

Replaces the phrase with a clearer expression of seeking data.

tried to find out about

Uses a more conversational way to express the search for something.

looked for information regarding

Indicates a search for specific details or data.

researched

Suggests a more in-depth investigation.

investigated

Implies a systematic or formal inquiry.

explored

Suggests a broad and open-ended inquiry.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "sought about"?

You can replace "sought about" with phrases like "inquired about", "asked about", or "sought information about" depending on the context.

Is "sought about" grammatically correct?

No, "sought about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives such as "inquired about" or "asked about".

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

Use "sought" with a direct object, like "sought advice" or "sought assistance", or use "sought after" as in "highly sought after". Avoid using "sought about"; instead, consider options like "asked about".

Which is more appropriate: "information sought" or "information sought about"?

"Information sought" is more appropriate and grammatically correct. "Information "sought about"" is not standard English. For instance, you would say "information was sought".