The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to irregular verbs. A common confusion arises when people try to figure out the past tense of “seek.” Is it “seeked” or “sought”? It’s easy to get mixed up, but don’t worry — this post will clear up any confusion and provide you with a thorough understanding of the topic.
Understanding the Past Tense of ‘Seek’
Let’s start with the basics. The verb “seek” means to look for or try to obtain something. It’s often used when someone is searching or pursuing something, whether it’s information, a goal, or even a person.
Here are a few examples of “seek” in the present tense:
- I seek knowledge every day.
- She seeks advice from her mentors.
- They seek new opportunities in the job market.
Now, when you want to talk about these actions in the past, you need to use the past tense form. But here’s the catch: “seek” is an irregular verb, meaning it doesn’t follow the usual “-ed” rule for forming past tense.
So, the past tense of seek is not “seeked.” Instead, it’s “sought.” This is where the confusion often arises. Why is it “sought” and not “seeked”? Let’s dive deeper into this irregular verb structure.
Seeked vs. Sought: Key Differences
The past tense of seek is “sought” — and that’s the correct usage. Why not “seeked,” though? Let’s break it down:
Why “Seeked” is Incorrect
Seeked is a common mistake because it seems to follow the regular conjugation pattern for verbs. Many regular verbs, like “talk” becoming “talked,” follow a predictable form. But seek is not a regular verb.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: seek belongs to a group of verbs known as strong verbs in English. These verbs don’t follow the regular “-ed” rule but instead undergo vowel changes in their past tense forms.
In the case of “seek,” the past tense is formed by changing the vowel in the middle of the word, from “ee” to “ou”, which gives us “sought.”
The Irregular Nature of ‘Seek’
Irregular verbs like seek are tricky because there’s no consistent rule for how they change in the past tense. You just have to memorize them!
Sought is actually derived from an Old English form, which makes sense when you consider how English has evolved over the centuries. These historical forms often explain why irregular verbs don’t follow the modern rules.
Let’s look at other irregular verbs to get a better understanding of this pattern:
| Present Tense | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| seek | sought | sought |
| go | went | gone |
| buy | bought | bought |
| bring | brought | brought |
| think | thought | thought |
As you can see, all of these verbs follow a non-standard rule for past tense formation. That’s why “seeked” doesn’t work — it doesn’t fit with the historical structure of the word.
Examples of ‘Sought’ in Different Contexts
Understanding how to use sought in various contexts can make a big difference in both professional and casual writing. Let’s break it down with examples that show how “sought” is used across different situations.
Scenario 1: Writing an Email to a Colleague
In professional communication, you might use “sought” when discussing actions that were taken to find a solution, gather information, or reach out for help.
Example:
- “I have sought input from multiple teams to ensure we make the best decision.”
This sentence emphasizes that you actively sought help or feedback, giving the reader a clear idea of the action and your effort to gather information.
Scenario 2: Job Application Cover Letter
In a job application, you can highlight your proactive approach to problem-solving or seeking opportunities for growth using “sought.”
Example:
- “I have sought opportunities to further develop my leadership skills by taking on more responsibilities.”
Using “sought” in this context shows initiative and self-awareness, which are traits employers value highly.
Scenario 3: Informal Conversation
In everyday speech, “sought” is still widely used, though less formal. It’s important to keep your language natural, but precise.
Example:
- “I sought out the best restaurant in town for our dinner tonight.”
Here, “sought” emphasizes the effort you put into finding the best option, even in a casual conversation.
Scenario 4: Business Letter to a Client
In business correspondence, you may refer to previous efforts made to solve a problem or address concerns.
Example:
- “We have sought a resolution to the issues you raised in your last email.”
This phrase conveys a professional tone, signaling that the company is actively working on resolving the matter.
Why Not “Seeked”?
The question remains: why don’t we use “seeked” if it seems logical? Here’s the thing: the English language is full of inconsistencies, and “seeked” is just one example of where the language has evolved in an irregular way.
If we were to follow the regular rule of adding “-ed” to the base verb, we’d end up with “seeked,” but this doesn’t sound natural in English. “Sought” has been used for centuries, and it sounds better to native speakers.
Another important point is that “sought” sounds more refined and formal than “seeked,” which helps in professional writing.
Language Tip: Recognizing Irregular Verbs
The best way to avoid using “seeked” incorrectly is to memorize the past tense of common irregular verbs. As you read, pay attention to how other verbs behave in different tenses.
One easy trick is to check online dictionaries or resources like Merriam-Webster or Oxford English Dictionary to confirm verb forms.
Other Common Irregular Verbs Like ‘Seek’
English is full of irregular verbs. Seek is not the only verb that doesn’t follow the standard “-ed” rule. Here are a few more examples of common irregular verbs that change in ways you might not expect.
| Present Tense | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| go | went | gone |
| buy | bought | bought |
| think | thought | thought |
| eat | ate | eaten |
| give | gave | given |
| catch | caught | caught |
| run | ran | run |
| bring | brought | brought |
Some irregular verbs change the vowel in the middle (like “seek” to “sought”), while others change more drastically (like “eat” to “ate”).
Mastering Irregular Verbs
To help you remember these tricky past tenses, consider creating flashcards or a cheat sheet with common irregular verbs. Over time, these forms will become second nature.
Final Thoughts: Sought or Seeked?
So, what’s the bottom line? Sought is the correct past tense of seek, and seeked is not a proper form. English has many irregular verbs, and seek follows the pattern of other strong verbs that change form in the past tense.
Key Takeaways:
- “Sought” is the correct past tense of “seek.”
- “Seeked” is incorrect because seek is an irregular verb.
- Using “sought” in writing and speech can make your communication sound more polished and professional.
Next time you’re writing or speaking, remember: “seeked” is a common mistake, but “sought” is the accurate and grammatically correct choice.
Emily Hudson, the creative mind behind “English Summa,” is a passionate English language educator with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Teaching Certification. Dedicated to making the intricacies of English accessible to learners, Emily brings a blend of expertise and enthusiasm to her readers. Follow English Summa for insightful language tips, literary explorations, and a shared love for the beauty of English.
