was sought by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sought by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was desired or requested by another party. Example: "The information was sought by the researchers to support their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His reappointment was sought by the Fed chairman, Alan Greenspan.

The New York Times

That reduction was sought by Mr. Pataki and his Republican allies in the Senate.

The New York Times

Mostly he was sought by the Big Ten, primarily Michigan State.

The New York Times - Sports

Each version was sought by collectors as though it were a passing thought to be treasured.

The Guardian

It was this status that was sought by the former Rocky Flats workers.

The New York Times

She was already aware that she was sought by the authorities.

The New York Times

Clarification of EU law was sought by the court of appeal.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, he remained a respected figure whose advice was sought by local politicians until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was one of three British lawyers whose help was sought by the local defense team.

The New York Times

The liability protection was sought by firms like Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and the Knight Trading Group.

The New York Times

The injunction was sought by a plaintiff before a criminal court in São Paulo state whose identity was kept secret.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was sought by", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what was desired or requested, and the 'by' phrase identifies the entity that sought it. Maintain a clear subject-verb relationship for readability.

Common error

Ensure that the noun following "by" is a clear and distinct entity. Avoid vague or ambiguous references that could confuse the reader about who initiated the seeking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sought by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence was the object of someone's search, desire, or request. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was sought by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates someone or something was desired or requested by another party. As Ludwig AI confirms. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. When using the phrase, clarity is crucial, ensuring the subject and the seeker are clearly identified. Alternatives like "was requested by" or "was desired by" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Pay attention to the context and ensure the passive voice construction serves the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was requested by

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of making a formal request.

was desired by

Emphasizes the longing or wish for something.

was pursued by

Highlights the effort made to obtain something.

was solicited by

Suggests a more formal or professional request.

was needed by

Focuses on the necessity of something.

was required by

Indicates a formal or mandatory need.

was chosen by

Emphasizes selection from multiple options.

was selected by

Similar to chosen, but can imply a more structured process.

was favored by

Highlights a preference or inclination.

was championed by

Indicates strong support and advocacy.

FAQs

How can I use "was sought by" in a sentence?

Use "was sought by" to indicate that something or someone was desired or requested by a particular entity. For example, "The information "was sought by" the researchers" shows the researchers desired the information.

What are some alternatives to "was sought by"?

Alternatives include "was requested by", "was desired by", or "was pursued by", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing something that was desired?

While "was sought by" employs passive voice, using active voice (e.g., "Researchers sought the information") can sometimes make the sentence more direct and concise. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

What's the difference between "was sought by" and "was found by"?

"Was sought by" indicates an active attempt to find or obtain something, while "was found by" indicates the result of a search or discovery. The former implies intention, while the latter implies outcome.