sought that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "The committee sought that the proposal be approved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He sought that favoured concept in criminal psychology, closure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alternative insulin therapies are being sought that will provide euglycemic control for people with diabetes mellitus.

Molecular Therapy

Novel inhibitors are sought that increase potency against variants that contain the Tyr181Cys mutation.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects

Mechanisms should thus be sought that can select nonequilibrium species11,12,13.

Nature

Disability advocates will campaign harder to achieve the change she sought: that will be her legacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

They reigned altogether in Britain four hundred and seventy winters since Gaius Julius first sought that land.

Yale University

Simplified chemical-kinetic mechanisms are sought that can provide agreement with measured shock-tube autoignition times and counterflow critical ignition conditions for methanol (CH3OH) oxidation.

Combustion and Flame

The indictment alleges Stone sought that information before the election at the direction of an unidentified senior Trump campaign official.

The Washington Post

But the days when Indians sought that kind of cultural assimilation are gone, Mrs. Tromblee-Elkins said.

The New York Times

Chantell Williams, with National Geographic's Youth Radio, recently sought that answer about herself and turned to Stanford's David Spiegel, MD, for help.

Stanford University

Tools are sought that offer both diagnostic and prognostic benefits, while minimizing the need for prolonged testing or undue commitment of tangible resources.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using more direct alternatives like "sought to", "requested that", or "asked for" instead of "sought that".

Common error

Avoid directly using "sought that" when "sought to" is more appropriate. "Sought to" correctly indicates an intention or action, while "sought that" can often sound awkward or grammatically incorrect. For example, replace "He sought that the project be approved" with "He sought to have the project approved."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. However, its usage can be grammatically ambiguous or incorrect. Ludwig AI points out the grammatical issues and the need of better alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sought that" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. Its function is to express a desire or effort toward a specific outcome, but clearer alternatives like "sought to" or "requested that" often provide better clarity and grammatical correctness. While commonly found in science, news, and academic contexts, writers should exercise caution and opt for more precise phrasing to avoid ambiguity. Always aim for alternatives to ensure your writing is both accurate and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought to ensure

Directly expresses an effort to guarantee a specific outcome or condition.

requested that

Emphasizes a formal asking or petitioning, changing the tone from merely seeking.

asked for

Focuses on a direct request, simplifying the more complex structure.

pursued the goal that

Highlights the active chasing of a specific objective.

aimed to achieve

Stresses the intention and effort put into attaining a particular outcome.

tried to obtain

Focuses on the effort to get or acquire something.

worked toward ensuring

Shows effort towards guaranteeing a specific result.

endeavored to secure

Indicates a serious attempt to firmly establish or obtain something.

looked to acquire

Emphasizes the search and intent to gain possession of something.

wanted to get

A more informal alternative, indicating a desire and attempt to obtain something.

FAQs

Is "sought that" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "sought that" is grammatically questionable. It's often better to use alternatives like "sought to" or "requested that" for clarity and correctness.

What's a more formal way to say "sought that"?

For formal contexts, consider using "requested that". It conveys a similar meaning with greater precision and adherence to grammatical standards.

Can I always replace "sought that" with "sought to"?

In many cases, yes. "Sought to" is often a clearer and more grammatically sound alternative. However, context matters, and sometimes a different phrasing like "aimed to" or "pursued that" might be even more appropriate.

How can I avoid using "sought that" in my writing?

Focus on direct and clear phrasing. Instead of "They sought that approval be given", try "They "requested that" approval be given" or "They sought to get approval". Replacing it by "sought to" or using alternatives often improves clarity.