sought to examine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought to examine" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express an intention or purpose to pursue a particular course of action. For example, "The researchers sought to examine key elements of the impact of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Studies have sought to examine the impact of mentoring.

Cornell University

We sought to examine the fetal safety of colchicine.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

We sought to examine other potential adaptive trade-offs.

Journal of Molecular Biology

This study sought to examine how interventions change during implementation.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

We sought to examine change in clinical productivity.

Current Surgery

We therefore sought to examine the similarity between corresponding ARGs in actinobacteria and proteobacteria.

Nature

We sought to examine whether TRIM28 and TRIM24 co-occupies on the chromatin.

Nature

We therefore sought to examine the effect of EC- and pronephros-specific inhibition of tmem33.

Nature

In this context, we sought to examine and answer the following questions: 1.

Cornell University

He sought to examine how school and religion shaped him, both morally and intellectually.

The New York Times

Therefore, it sought to examine the best means of achieving a new global order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sought to examine", ensure that the subsequent text clearly outlines the methodology or approach used in the examination to provide context for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "sought to examine" can sound overly formal in casual or conversational writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tried to see" or "looked at" in such contexts to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought to examine" functions as an introductory phrase indicating the purpose of an action, typically within academic, scientific, or formal contexts. Ludwig AI examples show its prevalent use in research papers and reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

Academia

15%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought to examine" is a formal phrase used to express a clear intention to investigate or analyze something. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in academic and scientific writing. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, remember that less formal alternatives may be more appropriate in casual contexts. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources, such as Nature and The New York Times, reinforces its credibility and suitability for professional communication. Understanding its function and purpose helps writers employ it effectively to convey a sense of deliberate inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to investigate

This alternative uses "aimed", suggesting a focused intention, similar to "sought", and "investigate" to imply a detailed inquiry.

attempted to analyze

"Attempted" implies the action may or may not have been successful and "analyze" suggests a methodic approach to examining something.

undertook to study

"Undertook" indicates a formal commitment to a task, and "study" implies a systematic approach.

endeavored to explore

"Endeavored" indicates an earnest attempt, while "explore" suggests a broader, less structured investigation.

set out to research

"Set out" describes the beginning of a journey or task and "research" is a systematic investigation to establish facts.

tried to determine

"Tried" is a less formal alternative to "sought", while "determine" focuses on reaching a conclusion.

pursued an inquiry into

"Pursued" describes continuing a course of action and "inquiry" means seeking for truth or information about something.

strove to understand

"Strove" indicates effort and determination, while "understand" focuses on gaining comprehension.

wished to inspect

"Wished" means a desire or want, indicating a milder intention and "inspect" means to look at someone or something carefully in order to discover something.

desired to assess

"Desired" is a more straightforward alternative to "sought", while "assess" implies evaluating something.

FAQs

How can I use "sought to examine" in a sentence?

You can use "sought to examine" to introduce a purpose or intention to investigate something. For example, "The study "sought to examine" the impact of social media on political polarization."

What are some alternatives to "sought to examine"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "aimed to investigate", "tried to determine", or "undertook to study" as alternatives to "sought to examine".

Is "sought to examine" formal or informal?

"Sought to examine" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing. It might sound out of place in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "sought to examine" and "tried to examine"?

"Sought to examine" implies a deliberate and planned effort to investigate, whereas "tried to examine" suggests an attempt that may or may not have been successful. The former carries a stronger sense of purpose and intention.