we were seeking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were seeking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a past intention or action of looking for something or someone. Example: "During our research, we were seeking new methods to improve our data analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were seeking just right.

The New York Times - Food

We were seeking a higher target".

The Guardian

"We're achieving reforms we were seeking," Calvo said.

The Washington Post

We were seeking information about a special event.

The Guardian - Travel

We were seeking the same thing: no-strings-attached sex.

The Guardian - Opinion

I thought it was "fair play" we were seeking.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The only thing we were seeking was the truth".

The New York Times

"When we met with Commissioner Kelly we were seeking answers," Emdin told the crowd Thursday night.

The Guardian

They were merely a partner in the democratic change we were seeking.

The Guardian

In the deli section, we were seeking reaction from Clinton aides.

The New York Times

"The idea is that we were seeking undervalued assets in an inefficient market," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure to avoid monotony. Instead of always starting with "we", try phrases like "our team was seeking" or "the researchers were seeking" for added variety and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking" in the present tense when a continuous action is intended. "We are seeking" implies an ongoing, current search, whereas "we seek" suggests a habitual or general desire. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeframe of your search or intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were seeking" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past continuous action of searching or pursuing something. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were seeking" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past action of searching or pursuing something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use in various contexts. It is particularly common in news, science, and business writing. While more formal alternatives exist, "we were seeking" strikes a balance between professionalism and clarity, making it a valuable tool for effective communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the object of the search and its importance are clearly defined to provide context and purpose to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were looking for

Replaces "seeking" with a more common synonym, "looking for", maintaining the meaning of searching.

we were pursuing

Simply replaces "seeking" with the direct synonym "pursuing".

we were in search of

Emphasizes the act of searching by using the prepositional phrase "in search of" instead of the verb "seeking".

we were trying to find

Uses "trying to find" to convey the effort involved in the search, adding a nuance of difficulty.

we were aiming to obtain

Replaces "seeking" with "aiming to obtain", focusing on the goal or objective of the search.

we were intent on finding

Emphasizes the intention behind the search, highlighting the deliberate nature of the action.

we were hoping to discover

Substitutes "seeking" with "hoping to discover", suggesting an element of anticipation or optimism in the search.

we were endeavoring to locate

Uses "endeavoring to locate" to convey a more formal and determined effort to find something.

we were desiring

Changes the focus to the desire for something, rather than the active search.

our goal was to find

Shifts the focus to the goal itself, rephrasing the sentence to highlight the objective of the search.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "we were seeking"?

You can use alternatives like "we were looking for", "we were in search of", or "we were pursuing" depending on the context.

How can I use "we were seeking" in a sentence?

Use "we were seeking" to describe a past action of trying to find or obtain something. For example, "During our research, we were seeking new methods to improve data analysis."

Is "we were seeking" formal or informal?

"We were seeking" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for both professional and academic contexts. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely acceptable.

What is the difference between "we were seeking" and "we sought"?

"We were seeking" implies a continuous action in the past, while "we sought" indicates a completed action. For example, "we were seeking funding" suggests an ongoing effort, whereas "we sought funding" suggests a specific attempt that may or may not have been successful.