sought to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an intention or desire to engage in work or a specific task in the past. Example: "She sought to work on the project that would improve community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have sought to work with junior doctors," she added.

The Guardian

Tecatech has sought to work with these differences to enhance the company's creativity and productivity.

The New York Times

The administration has sought to work with allies such as Brazil, Mexico, and Chile.

The Economist

Six guards are being sought to work a four-month tour of duty.

The New York Times

Gen. Qassem Soleimani, has responsibility for foreign operations and has often sought to work though surrogates, like Hezbollah.

The New York Times

But whenever the BJP leadership has sought to work towards this, skeletons have invariably tumbled out of its own cupboards.

The New York Times

In the ensuing week, Cyprus sought to work out a side deal with Moscow, but those talks went nowhere.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo has adopted a tough posture, rhetorically and legislatively, toward unions, but has also sought to work with them.

The New York Times

(Godard sought to work with Aronovich in the late nineteen-seventies, but the collaboration didn't pan out).

The New Yorker

USAID typically no longer paid in bulk for programs but sought to work in a consulting role with local partners.

The Washington Post

He was asked on multiple occasions whether he had sought to work in the White House, and he denied it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sought to work" when you want to express a past intention or effort to collaborate or engage in a task. It's suitable for describing deliberate actions and aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "sought to work" when referring to present intentions. The correct phrasing for present intentions is "seek to work". Using "sought" in the present tense is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought to work" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention or effort to engage in collaborative or individual work. It often introduces a purpose clause, explaining the reason behind a particular action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sought to work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates a past intention or effort to collaborate or engage in a task. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid phrase for expressing a past desire to engage in work, often implying a purposeful action. It is commonly found in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, making it suitable for formal and neutral contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it refers to the past. Be careful not to use it when referring to the present. Alternatives like "attempted to work" or "endeavored to work" can be used to add nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to work

Focuses on the attempt made, rather than the desire or intention.

tried to work

Similar to 'attempted', but can also imply a test or experiment.

endeavored to work

More formal than "sought to work", suggesting a serious or sustained effort.

aimed to work

Highlights the goal or objective of working.

strived to work

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved.

wished to work

Expresses a desire to work, without necessarily implying action.

desired to work

Similar to 'wished', indicating a strong feeling of wanting to work.

intended to work

Focuses on the plan or intention to work.

planned to work

Similar to 'intended', but may suggest more concrete preparations.

hoped to work

Indicates an optimistic expectation of working.

FAQs

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

Use "sought to work" to describe a past intention or attempt to collaborate or engage in a task. For example, "The organization "sought to work" with local communities to improve education."

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

"Sought to work" implies an intention or desire to collaborate, while "tried to work" suggests an attempt was made, regardless of the initial intention. "Sought to work" focuses on the aim, "tried to work" focuses on the action.

Which is correct, "sought to work" or "seek to work"?

"Sought to work" is used in the past tense to describe a completed action or intention. "Seek to work" is used in the present tense to describe a current intention or desire.

What can I say instead of "sought to work"?

You can use alternatives like "attempted to work", "endeavored to work", or "aimed to work" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.