that seek to

USAGE SUMMARY

'that seek to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a purpose or goal that follows. For example: "The organization works to develop and implement strategies that seek to reduce poverty in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Social programs that seek to raise I. Q

The New York Times - Books

Policies that seek to reshape the demographics of Chinatown.

The New York Times

"You want hospitals that seek to be empty, doctors that seek to be idle, machines that are few.

The Guardian

"We do attempt to gain access to places that seek to keep reporters out.

The New York Times

That, they say, best suits armed forces that seek to act only in self-defence.

The Economist

They are hedge funds that seek to shake up your company's management.

The Economist

There are several statistical methods that seek to rate candidates' ideology on a left-right scale.

The New York Times

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has also thrown support behind community programs that seek to address gang problems.

The New York Times

Nor is Libya surrounded by hostile neighbors (like Pakistan or Iran) that seek to foment insurgencies.

The New York Times

The very edges that seek to restrain actually form the art.

The New York Times

The group also sponsors "pastor policy briefings" around the country that seek to mobilize evangelical voters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the verb following "that seek to" aligns with the subject in terms of tense and number to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after "that seek to". Keep the verb tense consistent to maintain clarity. For instance, instead of "policies that seek to improved the environment", use "policies that seek to improve the environment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seek to" functions as a relative clause introducing a purpose or goal. It modifies a preceding noun, specifying what the subject aims to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, backed by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seek to" is a versatile phrase used to clearly express the intent or objective behind an action or strategy. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing. While highly versatile, one must pay attention to maintain consistent tense. Keep the language formal, use alternatives when more informal writing is desired and, as always, keep your objective as clearly stated as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that aim to

Expresses a similar intention but uses 'aim' instead of 'seek'.

that strive to

Replaces 'seek' with 'strive', suggesting a more vigorous effort.

that attempt to

Uses 'attempt' to convey the act of trying to achieve something.

that endeavor to

More formal alternative, replacing 'seek' with 'endeavor'.

that try to

A simpler and more direct alternative, using 'try' instead of 'seek'.

whose purpose is to

Rephrases to emphasize the intention or goal directly.

that aspire to

Implies a higher level of ambition or hope in achieving the goal.

that intend to

Focuses on the planned or deliberate nature of the action.

with the goal of

Uses a prepositional phrase to express the intended outcome.

in an effort to

Highlights the exertion and dedication involved in pursuing the aim.

FAQs

How can I use "that seek to" in a sentence?

Use "that seek to" to specify the objective or intention behind an action or strategy. For example, "The new regulations are designed for companies "that seek to" expand their market share".

What are some alternatives to "that seek to"?

Alternatives include "that aim to", "that strive to", or "whose purpose is to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "that seek to" and "that are trying to"?

"That seek to" is more formal and often implies a deliberate or strategic effort. "That are trying to" is more general and can refer to any attempt, whether planned or not. You could replace it with phrases like "that attempt to" or "that try to" depending on the context.

Can "that seek to" be used in both formal and informal writing?

While "that seek to" is suitable for formal writing, it may sound somewhat stilted in very informal contexts. In those cases, simpler alternatives like "that try to" or "that want to" might be more appropriate.