to be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be sought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about something that needs to be actively pursued or looked for. For example, "Answers to the mysteries of the universe are still to be sought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New avenues have had to be sought.

Independent

will need to be sought.

Space Policy

They want to be sought after.

The New York Times

Or will a totally new approach have to be sought?

Acta Astronautica

Libeskind continued to be sought after for Jewish projects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there were still thrills to be sought elsewhere.

The New York Times - Travel

In some cases unsteadiness almost seems to be sought.

The New York Times - Arts

That is because upside volatility is something to be sought.

The New York Times

Consequently, other sources of revenue have to be sought.

The Guardian

A meeting is to be sought with the prime minister.

The Guardian

No sort of personal change is to be sought after or expected.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be sought" to convey that something requires active effort to find or obtain. It's suitable for formal writing and implies a deliberate search.

Common error

Avoid using "to be sought" when an active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "Clarification was to be sought from the Met", consider "We needed to seek clarification from the Met".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be sought" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating that something requires active effort to find or obtain. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be sought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying the necessity of active pursuit or search. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Its usage spans diverse fields, with prominence in science, news media, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider if an active voice might enhance clarity and directness. Alternatives such as "to be pursued" or "to be searched for" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, ensuring precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be pursued

This alternative uses "pursued", emphasizing a more active chase or quest.

to be searched for

This alternative explicitly states the action of searching, making it more direct.

to be looked for

This option is more informal and emphasizes the act of finding something.

to be strived for

This alternative implies effort and ambition in achieving a goal.

to be aimed for

This suggests having a specific target or objective in mind.

to be hunted down

This alternative suggests an intense and relentless pursuit.

to be investigated

This option is suitable when a formal or systematic inquiry is involved.

to be explored

This suggests examining or discovering something in detail.

to be ascertained

This alternative emphasizes the need to find something out for certain.

to be procured

This alternative emphasizes obtaining something, often through effort or special means.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be sought" indicates that something needs to be actively looked for or pursued. For example, "New solutions need "to be sought" to address this problem".

What's a formal alternative to "to be sought"?

A more formal alternative to "to be sought" could be "to be ascertained" or "to be procured", depending on the specific context.

Is "to be sought after" different from "to be sought"?

Yes, "to be sought after" implies being desired or in demand, whereas "to be sought" simply means needing to be looked for or pursued. For instance, "She is a talented professional who is "to be sought after" by many companies".

What are some situations where "to be sought" is appropriate?

"To be sought" is appropriate in situations where information, solutions, or resources are not readily available and require a deliberate effort to find. This is common in research, investigations, and problem-solving scenarios.