sought information on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought information on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of searching for or requesting specific information about a topic or subject. Example: "The researcher sought information on the effects of climate change on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Slightly more than one third (288/830) of respondents reported that they had sought information on pandemic (H1N1) 2009 during the first pandemic wave in Australia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The State Department also sought information on the case.

The New York Times

For months, the investigators have sought information on donors who received government contracts.

The New York Times

Wilson's file shows that in 1953 the State Department sought information on him.

The New Yorker

Over the summer, it has sought information on individuals who are sharing files from internet service providers and from universities.

The Economist

The research looked at the feelings and reactions of 78 "non-searchers" (adopted people who had not sought information) on being contacted, indirectly, by a birth relative.

The Guardian

The move was to settle a lawsuit in which the United States had sought information on as many as 52,000 accounts.

The New York Times

The majority of NSL requests, 31,863, made in 2015 sought information on foreigners, regarding a total of 2,053 individuals, the memo stated.

The Guardian

Ms. White added that she had sought information on the human impact of the death penalty in many ways, including its portrayal in the arts.

The New York Times

Other states that have sought information on courthouse renovation include Georgia, Illinois and Oklahoma — though the current economy makes it harder to start new programs.

The New York Times

First, I sought information on historical contributions of women scientists.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sought information on", ensure the context clearly indicates who was seeking the information and what specific topic they were interested in. This makes the sentence more informative and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "sought information on" in a way that obscures who was performing the action. For instance, instead of saying "Information was sought on the matter", specify who sought the information: "The investigators sought information on the matter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought information on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of actively looking for details or facts about a specific topic. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe information-seeking behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought information on" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of actively looking for details about a specific topic. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and very common. Its usage spans across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, with a slightly formal tone. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who sought the information. Consider alternatives like "requested data about" for a more formal tone or "looked for information on" for a more general search. Avoiding passive voice constructions will further enhance clarity and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested data about

Emphasizes the act of formally asking for specific data, suggesting a more structured request.

inquired about details regarding

Highlights a formal inquiry, focusing on specific details related to a particular subject.

looked for facts concerning

Focuses on the factual aspect of the information being sought, implying a search for concrete evidence.

researched topics related to

Emphasizes a more in-depth investigation and study of subjects connected to the main topic.

investigated matters pertaining to

Suggests a thorough and systematic examination of issues connected to a particular subject.

explored details of

Implies a broad and open-ended search for information, without a specific agenda.

examined particulars relating to

Highlights a detailed examination of specific aspects and elements of the subject in question.

pursued knowledge about

Emphasizes the active and determined pursuit of information and understanding.

gathered intelligence on

Suggests the collection of information for strategic or tactical purposes, often implying secrecy.

collected insights regarding

Focuses on gathering perceptions and understanding to gain a deeper comprehension of a topic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sought information on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "requested data about" or "inquired about details regarding" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "sought information on" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "sought information on" is suitable for academic writing. However, consider using more precise language depending on the context, such as "researched topics related to" or "investigated matters pertaining to".

What is the difference between "sought information on" and "looked for information on"?

"Sought information on" implies a more deliberate and sometimes formal effort to find information, while "looked for information on" is more general and can suggest a casual search. They are often interchangeable, but "sought" has a slightly more serious tone.

Can I use "sought information on" when referring to online searches?

Yes, you can use "sought information on" when referring to online searches, especially when the search was conducted with a specific purpose or question in mind. For example: "The student "sought information on" climate change using online databases."