Seeked vs Sought: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Are you one of those people who always thought that “seeked” and “sought” are interchangeable? You’re not alone. Many people use these two words interchangeably, but did you know that one of them is actually incorrect? In this article, we will explore the differences between “seeked” and “sought” and when to use each of them.

The proper word to use is “sought.” “Seeked” is not a word that is recognized by most dictionaries. It is considered to be incorrect and should not be used in formal writing. “Sought,” on the other hand, is the past tense and past participle of the verb “seek.” It means to look for or try to obtain something.

So, when should you use “sought”? You should use “sought” when you are referring to the past tense or past participle of the verb “seek.” For example, “I sought the help of a professional” or “She has sought advice from several experts.”

Now that we have established the correct usage of “sought,” let’s take a closer look at the word itself. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “sought” is defined as “past tense and past participle of seek.” It is a regular verb, which means that it follows the typical pattern of adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb to form the past tense and past participle.

It is important to note that “sought” can also be used as an adjective. In this case, it means “desired or searched for.” For example, “The sought-after item was finally found.”

Now that we have a better understanding of the proper usage and definition of “sought,” let’s explore some common mistakes that people make when using this word.

Define Seeked

Seeked is a verb that is derived from the word seek. It is the past tense and past participle form of the verb seek. The word seeked is used to describe the act of searching for something or trying to obtain something. It is often used in situations where an individual is actively looking for a particular item or information.

Define Sought

Sought is also a verb that is derived from the word seek. It is the past tense and past participle form of the verb seek. The word sought is used to describe the act of searching for something or trying to obtain something. It is often used in situations where an individual is actively looking for a particular item or information, just like seeked.

However, sought is more commonly used than seeked and is considered the correct past tense and past participle form of the verb seek in most English-speaking countries. It is also worth noting that sought is used more frequently in formal writing and speech.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “seeked” and “sought” in a sentence, it’s important to understand the nuances of each word. While they may seem interchangeable, there are specific situations where one word is more appropriate than the other. In this section, we’ll explore how to use each word in a sentence.

How To Use “Seeked” In A Sentence

The word “seeked” is not commonly used in modern English. In fact, it is considered archaic and is rarely used in formal writing. However, it is still occasionally used in certain contexts, particularly in legal or historical documents.

If you do need to use “seeked” in a sentence, it is important to use it correctly. The word is the past tense of “seek,” which means to look for or search for something. Here are a few examples of how to use “seeked” in a sentence:

• The detective seeked out new leads in the case.
• The explorers seeked out new territories to conquer.
• The plaintiff seeked damages for the harm caused.

It’s worth noting that in all of these examples, “sought” could be used instead of “seeked” without changing the meaning of the sentence. However, using “seeked” can add a more formal or archaic tone to your writing.

How To Use “Sought” In A Sentence

The word “sought” is much more commonly used than “seeked” in modern English. It is the past tense and past participle of “seek” and is used to indicate that someone looked for or searched for something in the past. Here are a few examples of how to use “sought” in a sentence:

• The job seeker sought out new opportunities.
• The hiker sought shelter from the storm.
• The student sought advice from her teacher.

As you can see, “sought” is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts. It is also worth noting that “sought after” is a common phrase that means something is highly desired or sought out by many people. For example:

• The artist’s paintings are highly sought after by collectors.
• The company’s new product is expected to be sought after by consumers.

Overall, it’s important to use the word “sought” when you want to indicate that someone looked for or searched for something in the past. While “seeked” is still occasionally used in certain contexts, it is generally considered archaic and should be avoided in most situations.

More Examples Of Seeked & Sought Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between “seeked” and “sought,” it can be helpful to examine their usage in a variety of sentences. Below are examples of both words used in different contexts.

Examples Of Using “Seeked” In A Sentence

• He seeked help from his friends.
• She seeked to improve her grades by studying harder.
• The company seeked new investors to fund their expansion.
• After losing his job, he seeked guidance from a career counselor.
• They seeked shelter from the storm in a nearby cave.
• The detective seeked clues to solve the mystery.
• She seeked advice from her doctor before starting a new exercise program.
• He seeked forgiveness from his family for his past mistakes.
• The hikers seeked out the best views on their mountain trek.
• The artist seeked inspiration for her new painting.

Examples Of Using “Sought” In A Sentence

• He sought help from his friends.
• She sought to improve her grades by studying harder.
• The company sought new investors to fund their expansion.
• After losing his job, he sought guidance from a career counselor.
• They sought shelter from the storm in a nearby cave.
• The detective sought clues to solve the mystery.
• She sought advice from her doctor before starting a new exercise program.
• He sought forgiveness from his family for his past mistakes.
• The hikers sought out the best views on their mountain trek.
• The artist sought inspiration for her new painting.

As you can see, the main difference between “seeked” and “sought” is that “seeked” is not considered standard English and is generally replaced by “sought.” However, in certain dialects or informal contexts, “seeked” may still be used.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using seeked and sought interchangeably, there are some common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and miscommunication, so it’s important to be aware of them and to avoid them whenever possible.

Using Seeked Instead Of Sought

One of the most common mistakes people make is using seeked instead of sought. While seeked may sound correct, it is actually an incorrect form of the past tense of seek. The correct form is sought.

For example:

• Incorrect: I seeked help from my friends.
• Correct: I sought help from my friends.

Using seeked instead of sought can make your writing sound unprofessional and can lead to confusion for your readers. To avoid this mistake, make sure to always use sought as the past tense of seek.

Using Sought Instead Of Seek

Another common mistake people make is using sought instead of seek. While sought is the past tense of seek, it is not the correct form to use when talking about present or future actions.

For example:

• Incorrect: I have sought a new job.
• Correct: I am seeking a new job.

Using sought instead of seek can also lead to confusion and make your writing sound awkward. To avoid this mistake, make sure to use seek when talking about present or future actions.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to be mindful of the correct usage of seeked and sought. Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes:

• Double-check your writing to make sure you are using the correct form of seeked or sought.
• Read your writing out loud to ensure that it sounds natural and correct.
• Use a grammar checker to help catch any mistakes you may have missed.

By following these tips and being mindful of the correct usage of seeked and sought, you can improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to the choice between “seeked” and “sought,” context is key. The decision to use one over the other can depend on the specific context in which the words are being used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Consider the following examples:

Context	Preferred Word
Legal Documents	Sought
Informal Writing	Seeked
Historical Accounts	Sought

In legal documents, the word “sought” is typically preferred. This is because legal language often relies on traditional and formal language conventions, and “sought” is the more traditional and formal of the two options.

Conversely, in informal writing, “seeked” may be more appropriate. This is because informal writing often allows for more creative expression and less rigid adherence to traditional language conventions.

In historical accounts, “sought” is often the preferred word. This is because historical writing often seeks to accurately reflect the language and conventions of the time period being discussed, and “sought” is the more historically accurate option.

In summary, the choice between “seeked” and “sought” can depend on a variety of contextual factors, including the type of writing, the intended audience, and the historical period being discussed. By carefully considering these factors, writers can ensure that their use of these words is both accurate and appropriate for the given context.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using seeked and sought are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Here are a few cases where the standard rules might not apply:

1. Formal Writing

In formal writing, particularly legal or academic contexts, the use of sought is often preferred over seeked. This is because sought is considered more formal and professional, while seeked is often viewed as informal or even incorrect.

For example, in a legal document, it would be more appropriate to write:

Incorrect	Correct
The plaintiff seeked damages.	The plaintiff sought damages.

2. Regional Differences

While sought is generally preferred over seeked in most English-speaking countries, there are some regional differences to keep in mind.

In British English, for example, seeked is sometimes used instead of sought, particularly in casual speech or writing. However, this usage is generally considered non-standard and should be avoided in formal contexts.

3. Phrasal Verbs

When seek or sought is used as part of a phrasal verb, the rules for using these words can be more complex.

For example, the phrasal verb seek out means to search for or find something, while the phrasal verb sought after means to desire or covet something.

Here are a few examples:

• She sought out the best deals on flights.
• The company sought after the most talented candidates.

It’s important to remember that the rules for using seeked and sought can vary depending on the context and the specific phrasal verb being used.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of seeked and sought is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (seeked or sought) to fill in the blanks in the following sentences:

1. He ___________ advice from his mentor.
2. The police ___________ the suspect for questioning.
3. The company ___________ to expand its operations overseas.
4. She ___________ refuge from the storm.

Answer Key:

1. sought
2. sought
3. sought
4. seeked (Note: This is technically incorrect, as it should be “sought,” but it is a common mistake.)

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of seeked or sought:

1. She seeked advice from her boss.
2. He sought for the truth in the case.
3. The company seeked to acquire a new business.

Answer Key:

1. She sought advice from her boss.
2. He sought the truth in the case.
3. The company sought to acquire a new business.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of seeked and sought in sentences. Remember to always use the correct form of the word based on the tense and context of the sentence.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “seeked” and “sought,” it is clear that “sought” is the correct past tense and past participle form of “seek.” Using “seeked” is considered nonstandard and should be avoided in formal writing.

It is important to remember that mastering grammar and language use is an ongoing process. By continuing to learn and improve our writing skills, we can communicate more effectively and confidently.