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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
sought funding
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'sought funding' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when referring to seeking financial support for a project or undertaking. For example: The charity organization sought funding from local businesses to build a new homeless shelter.
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(20)
applied for grants
sought details
requested financial support
request clarification
requested clarification
sought cooperation
asked for explanation
sought assistance
requests clarification
sought clarity
seek clarification
sought detail
looked for financing
requesting clarification
sought legitimacy
sought clarification
investigated the matter
seeks clarification
sought government
desired clarification
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
Simonds sought funding in China — as all Hollywood has begun to do.
News & Media
To buy additional parts, they sought funding from University departments and external sponsors.
Academia
The trial succeeded in winter 2014, but when Rosam sought funding to grow, more than 30 investors said no.
News & Media
The bureau has sought funding to buy at least five of these radars, but they will not be delivered until December.
News & Media
Harvard Graduate School of Education HGSEE) sought funding for a third PreK-3rd Institute, the subsequent follow-up work, and evaluation.
Academia
As computational social science has grown, researchers have sought funding and application areas in the national security community [12, 13].
Science
From there, things picked up fast — Lagier quit his job and sought funding.
News & Media
When the scientists sought funding for that research, however, reviewers criticized it as observational work, unworthy of support, Sonntag says.
Science & Research
Solar Roadways of Sandpoint, Idaho, sought funding from supporters to augment funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
News & Media
This is the first time Apperian has sought funding since a modest $4 million round back in January, 2013.
News & Media
Isro has sought funding from the government to send its astronauts into space and the successful launch could be the first step towards boosting its claim, correspondents say.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "sought funding", specify the source or type of funding if relevant to provide context. For example, "sought funding from venture capitalists" or "sought funding through crowdfunding".
Common error
Avoid using "sought funding" in a way that obscures who is seeking the funding or for what purpose. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating the actor and the goal.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "sought funding" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of attempting to obtain financial resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples include "Simonds sought funding in China" and "Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) sought funding."
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
35%
Academia
15%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "sought funding" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of trying to obtain financial resources. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in science, news, and academic contexts, conveying a professional and neutral tone. When using this phrase, specifying the source of funding enhances clarity. Alternatives include "applied for grants", "requested financial support", and "looked for financing", each with slightly different nuances. The phrase is widely understood and appropriate in various formal settings.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
aimed to secure funding
Emphasizes the goal of successfully obtaining funding.
solicited funds
A more formal term for asking for financial contributions.
requested financial support
A more formal and direct way of expressing the need for funds.
looked for financing
A general term for seeking financial resources.
applied for grants
Focuses specifically on grant applications as a means of seeking funds.
tried to raise capital
Focuses on the effort to increase capital through various means.
pursued investment
Highlights the active pursuit of investment opportunities.
courted investors
Implies a more active and persuasive approach to attracting investors.
appealed for donations
Specifically refers to seeking funds from donations, often in a charitable context.
canvassed for contributions
Suggests a broad and systematic effort to solicit contributions.
FAQs
What does it mean to "seek funding"?
To "seek funding" means to attempt to obtain financial resources, typically for a project, organization, or venture. This can involve applying for grants, soliciting donations, or pitching to investors.
How can I use "sought funding" in a sentence?
You can use "sought funding" in a sentence like: "The research team "sought funding" from the National Science Foundation." or "The startup "sought funding" to expand its operations."
What are some alternatives to the phrase "sought funding"?
Alternatives to "sought funding" include "applied for grants", "requested financial support", or "looked for financing" depending on the specific context.
Is it more appropriate to say "sought funding" or "searched for funding"?
"Sought funding" is generally considered more formal and professional than "searched for funding". While both are grammatically correct, "sought funding" implies a more deliberate and strategic effort.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested