was sought

USAGE SUMMARY

"was sought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was looking for a particular thing or person. For example, "The missing child was sought by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More typically, Darrow was sought out.

The New Yorker

Comment was sought from McGowan.

The Guardian

A new home was sought.

The New York Times

Comment was sought from Frydenberg's office.

The Guardian

Middle ground was sought (sorry, Queen Victoria).

The New York Times - Travel

No permission was sought, Keys says.

The Guardian

But no attempt was sought to ascertain ultimate accountability.

The Economist

None of these approvals was sought before the air show.

The Economist

Eventually, he was sought for charity events, camps and clinics.

The New York Times - Sports

In Egypt it was sought for embalming and witchcraft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No funding was sought.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was sought" when you want to emphasize that someone or something was the object of a search or request, rather than the actor doing the searching.

Common error

Avoid using "was sought" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "Funding was sought by the team", consider "The team sought funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sought" functions primarily as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of an action, specifically the target of a search, request, or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was sought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. As Ludwig AI indicates, this passive form emphasizes the object of the search or request. With common usage in science, news, and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember to use "was sought" when emphasizing the object of the action rather than the actor, and consider whether the active voice might be a more direct choice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was searched for

More explicit about the action of searching but retains similar meaning.

was looked for

Informal and direct synonym; emphasizes the action of searching.

was requested

Emphasizes a formal appeal or application, differing from actively searching.

was solicited

Highlights that something was asked for, or encouragement for doing something has been given, often related to advice or funds.

was desired

Highlights the aspect of wanting or wishing for something, deviating from active search.

was applied for

Indicates a formal application process, not just a general search.

was pursued

Focuses on the active chase or effort made to obtain something.

was in demand

Highlights the high level of need or popularity, differing in focus.

was needed

Emphasizes necessity rather than an active search.

was aimed at

Focuses on directing efforts or intentions towards something, not necessarily a search.

FAQs

How is "was sought" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was sought" is used to indicate that someone or something was the object of a search or request. For example, "Advice "was solicited" from an expert."

What can I say instead of "was sought"?

You can use alternatives like "was requested", "was desired", or "was searched for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "was sought" over "sought"?

Use "was sought" in passive constructions, where the focus is on the object of the search or request. Use "sought" in active constructions, where the focus is on the person or entity doing the searching.

What's the difference between "was sought" and "was pursued"?

"Was sought" implies a general search or request, while "was pursued" suggests a more active and determined effort to find or obtain something.