The place was sought. vs the place was sought after.

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings and usage. 'The place was sought' implies that someone was looking for the place, while 'The place was sought after' means that the place was desired or in demand. The choice between the two depends on the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 803 views

This phrase is correct and means that someone was looking for the place.

"The place was sought."

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was searching for the place.

Examples:

The lost city was sought by many adventurers.
The treasure map led them to the island they sought.
The missing child was sought by the entire community.
The truth was sought by the investigators.
The answers they sought were finally found.

Show examples from the web [+]

Secondly, the participation of Og Vodafone in the project was sought.
Therefore, in accordance with Article 6(d)(ii) of the basic Regulation, an external benchmark was sought.
The place was obviously torn apart.
(5a) Should the place of issue of coins and banknotes denominated in euro be moved outside the European Union, the opinion of the European Parliament should be sought.
(5a) In each instance in which the place of issue of coins and banknotes is moved outside the European Union, the opinion of the European Parliament should be sought.
At the end some flexibility was sought, some discussions took place and I think the same will apply with South Africa.
Before issuing an EC design-examination certificate or an EC type-examination certificate, the notified bodies shall give due consideration to any comments received within 12 weeks from the date on which the opinion of the national competent authorities was sought.
And the place wasn't exactly a roaring success.
It's not like the place was empty.
Sorry, we heard the place was haunted.
The place was trashed - like they'd been dragged out...
If the place was shut tight.
By the time we got here, the place was barricaded.
When I arrived, the place was a wreck.
That would explain how the place was scrubbed so quickly.
But every time cops arrived, the place was empty.
Pickups, deliveries, when the place was empty.
My dad said the place was booby-trapped.
You scared me there. I thought the place was...
The place was made for Abigail and your world.

Alternatives:

The place was searched for.
The place was looked for.
The place was sought out.
The place was sought by many.
The place was sought by the authorities.

This phrase is correct and means that the place was desired or in demand.

"the place was sought after."

This phrase is used to indicate that the place was highly desired or sought by many people.

Examples:

The beachfront property was sought after by investors.
The rare painting was sought after by collectors.
The exclusive restaurant was sought after for its unique cuisine.
The designer handbag was sought after by fashion enthusiasts.
The vintage car was sought after by car enthusiasts.

Show examples from the web [+]

In the 1950s, conifer honeydew honey, which fetched two to three times more than nectar honeys, was sought-after in western European countries and the USA.
No wonder she was highly sought after.
I didn't realize yurts were so... sought after.
Single gentlemen are especially sought after.
Small, light-coloured kernels are sought after.
You can be sure that the acquaintance of the Elliots is most exceedingly sought after.
While most of these tasks are covered by the staff of the Commission services, in certain specific areas external expertise by specialised companies is sought after.
Of course, from a budgetary view synergies between the institutions in their communication and information efforts are welcome and sought after.
The place was obviously torn apart.
You don't often see a 5/8 bathroom, but they're highly sought after.
At that time, seafarers were fortunate individuals with extremely high wages; jobs as crewmembers of both passenger and cargo ships and even oil tankers were sought after.
Mr President, Commissioner, timber is a valuable building material; it is healthy, practical, perhaps a bit lacking in fire resistance, but increasingly sought-after.
And the place wasn't exactly a roaring success.
It's not like the place was empty.
Sorry, we heard the place was haunted.
The place was trashed - like they'd been dragged out...
If the place was shut tight.
By the time we got here, the place was barricaded.
When I arrived, the place was a wreck.
That would explain how the place was scrubbed so quickly.

Alternatives:

The place was desired.
The place was in demand.
The place was highly sought.
The place was much sought after.
The place was sought by many.

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The place was sought. vs the place was sought after.