what I seek

USAGE SUMMARY

"what I seek" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that explains the speaker's or writer's desires or goals. Example: "I often wonder what I seek in life, and I've come to realize that it is not material possessions, but rather meaningful relationships." In this sentence, "what I seek" introduces the explanation for the speaker's wondering and reveals their ultimate goal or desire.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Food

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"What I seek to do now," Kirsch writes, "is restore Herschel Grynszpan to his rightful place in history".

The New Yorker

What I seek on a ski vacation is untracked snow, lifts without lines, and enticing terrain.

The New York Times - Travel

What I seek in a perfect summer cottage bears little resemblance, if any, to what I look for in my home the rest of the year.

The New York Times

Kikuji Kawada's The Map exemplifies what I seek in a photobook: it provides a radical new way of reading photographic images.

The Guardian - Arts

What Ruth Graham seeks from novels is not what I seek from novels, but that does not make me a lesser adult than her.

The Guardian

"Like the Emerald City because what I seek is in myself!" "Plus," I wrote, "when I'm 50 it will remind me to stay crazy!" I was hardly crazy; I was a book-crazy English major.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Stimulated by my expedition, however, I stopped at the J. Crew Men's Shop and found exactly what I sought.

The New York Times

Its rows of semi-detached, interwar houses were the very model of what I sought to escape as a teenager.

Independent

The atmosphere was fraught, with years and even generations of pent-up fear and distrust on both sides, which is what I sought to explore.

The New Yorker

'The mercy of God and the Order.' " That, Merton declared, is what he had sought, and he offered his writing as evidence "that I have found what I sought and continue to find it".

The New Yorker

What I sought was its antithesis, the Village that still held the aura of a bohemia where intellectuals, radicals and artists gathered in cafes in the early hours of the morning to inveigh against social injustice.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what I seek", ensure the subsequent clause clearly defines the specific object or concept being pursued. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what I seek" without a clear antecedent or context, as this can leave the reader wondering what exactly is being referred to. Always ensure clarity by providing sufficient background information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what I seek" functions as a relative clause, introducing a noun clause that serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It specifies the object, goal, or desire that the speaker is pursuing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Huffington Post

20%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Food

2%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what I seek" is a versatile construct used to articulate personal goals and desires. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As a relative clause, it introduces a noun clause that clarifies the object of one's pursuit. Its usage ranges from neutral to formal, commonly appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "what I desire" or "what I am looking for" offer similar semantic value. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensuring the subsequent clause explicitly defines the intended object or concept to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what I desire

Replaces 'seek' with a synonym emphasizing longing or craving.

what I am looking for

More explicit and common way to express the act of searching.

what I aim for

Focuses on the intentionality of pursuing a specific goal.

what I strive for

Highlights the effort and dedication involved in achieving a goal.

what I aspire to

Emphasizes a higher goal or ambition.

my objective

A more formal way to refer to a specific aim or target.

my goal

A general term for something that one is trying to achieve.

the thing I want

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic components.

my intention

Focuses on the planned course of action or purpose.

what I'm after

An informal way to express pursuit or chasing something.

FAQs

How can I use "what I seek" in a sentence?

Use "what I seek" to introduce a clause that explains your desires or goals. For example, "What I seek is a deeper understanding of the universe."

What are some alternatives to "what I seek"?

You can use alternatives like "what I desire", "what I am looking for", or "my objective" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "what I seek" or "what I am seeking"?

Both "what I seek" and "what I am seeking" are grammatically correct. "What I seek" is slightly more formal and concise, while "what I am seeking" is more explicit about the ongoing nature of the search.

What's the difference between "what I seek" and "what I want"?

"What I want" is a general expression of desire, while "what I seek" implies a more deliberate and purposeful pursuit. "What I seek" suggests a quest or a journey towards a specific goal.