sought for

USAGE SUMMARY

"sought for" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when referring to something or someone that has been searched, looked for, or pursued. Example sentence: I sought for a solution to the problem, but could not find one.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I sought for certainty.

Cornell University

Medical records were sought for each participant.

Epilepsy Research

Experimental verification is sought for corroboration of proposed theories.

Acta Materialia

Public comment is sought for the following topics.

Stanford University

The men are being sought for witness intimidation.

The New York Times

Eventually, he was sought for charity events, camps and clinics.

The New York Times - Sports

In Egypt it was sought for embalming and witchcraft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tilda Swinton is also being sought for a role.

The Guardian - Film

Modelling wasn't a profession she sought for herself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's not part of what I've ever sought for.

The Guardian - Film

Neither Darrow nor Leibowitz was sought for Hauptmann.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. While "sought for" is generally acceptable in most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "requested" or "solicited".

Common error

Avoid using "sought for" in a way that obscures who is doing the seeking. Instead of saying "Solutions were sought for", specify who sought the solutions: "The team sought solutions for the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought for" primarily functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that someone or something was the object of a search or request. Ludwig confirms its validity. Examples include "Funding is being sought for humanitarian activities" and "Medical records were sought for each participant."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

30%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, primarily functioning as a passive verb indicating that something was looked for or requested. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its acceptability across a variety of contexts, though it appears most often in academic, scientific, and news-related sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being searched or requested, and be mindful of the level of formality required. Consider using alternatives like "requested for" or ""looked for"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searched for

This emphasizes the action of looking for something, whether physically or metaphorically.

requested for

This alternative emphasizes a formal request or application rather than a general search.

requested to

This focuses on the act of formally asking or appealing for something.

looking for

This indicates an active search or quest, often with a sense of anticipation or expectation.

engaged for

This suggests that someone was hired or contracted for a specific purpose.

desired for

This highlights the desirability or attractiveness of the subject being sought.

solicited for

This implies that something was actively asked for or requested, often in a formal setting.

persecuted for

This indicates that someone has been chased or harrassed because of their particular beliefs.

strived for

This emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in trying to achieve something.

aimed for

This highlights the goal or target that someone is trying to achieve or reach.

FAQs

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

Use "sought for" to indicate that something was looked for or requested. For example, "Their help was "asked for"", or "Information was "looked for" regarding the incident".

What are some alternatives to "sought for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "requested to", ""looked for"", or "searched for".

Is "sought for" formal or informal?

"Sought for" is generally considered acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "requested for" or "solicited for" may be preferred in certain situations.

When should I use "sought for" instead of "looked for"?

While both phrases indicate a search, "sought for" often implies a more deliberate or formal search than "looked for". "Looked for" is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation. For example, in legal documents may be more appropriate to use "sought for", while in everyday conversation you can use ""looked for"".