sought by

USAGE SUMMARY

"sought by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person trying to acquire a desired thing. For example: "The royal jewels were sought by many adventurers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some were being sought by their families.

The New York Times

The documents were sought by government investigators.

The New York Times

His guidance was also sought by Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here is the 'looseness' sought by Mickelson.

The Guardian - Sport

Their expertise is sought by international and philanthropic organizations.

Stanford University

It prayed for relief similar to that sought by Bannercraft.

Cornell University

Precious, is eagerly sought by both women and men.

Princeton University

A guy whose support was actively sought by the candidate.

The Washington Post

All three men are being sought by the United States.

The New York Times

Other benefits sought by Brexiters may be slow in arriving.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are not sought by humans, and many are protected.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sought by" to indicate a formal or widespread demand for something, especially when the seekers are well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using "sought by" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "looked for" or "wanted" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the object of a search or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought by" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that indicates something is being searched for or desired by someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's prevalent in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting a formal to neutral tone. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "looked for" or "wanted" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "sought by" when the seeker is important to the context. Avoid mistaking its meaning with "sought after".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in demand by

Focuses on the active desire for something from a particular group.

requested by

Emphasizes a formal or official request for something.

desired by

Highlights a strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something.

pursued by

Implies active chasing or seeking of something.

looked for by

A more literal and straightforward way of saying something is being searched for.

in search of

Focuses on the act of looking for something rather than the desire for it.

needed by

Indicates a requirement or necessity for something.

required by

Suggests a formal or mandatory need.

claimed by

Signifies an assertion of ownership or right to something.

attracted to

Highlights the appeal or allure of something that draws people in.

FAQs

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

Use "sought by" to indicate that something is desired or searched for by someone. For instance, "The ancient artifact was "desired by" many collectors".

What can I say instead of "sought by"?

You can use alternatives like "in demand by", "requested by", or ""desired by"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sought by" or "sought after"?

"Sought by" indicates who is doing the seeking, while "sought after" describes something that is highly desirable. For example, "The information was sought by the journalist" versus "The expert's opinion was sought after".

What's the difference between "sought by" and "looked for by"?

"Sought by" often implies a more formal or intense search, while "looked for by" is a more general term for searching. "Sought by" suggests a higher level of desire or importance.