Conjugation of "Seek" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To search for or try to find something.
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All 12 Tenses of "Seek"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "seek" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I seek |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I seeked |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will seek |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am seeking |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was seeking |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be seeking |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have seeked |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had seeked |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have seeked |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been seeking |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been seeking |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been seeking |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Seek" — Sought
The past simple of "seek" is "sought". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "seek" is irregular, "sought" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Seek" — Sought
The past participle of "seek" is "sought". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have sought"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was sought"). Because "seek" is irregular, "sought" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Seek" Regular or Irregular?
"Seek" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "seek", past simple "sought", and past participle "sought". The 3rd-person singular present is "seeks" and the present participle/gerund is "seeking". Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed for past simple and past participle.
Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed for past simple and past participle
How to Pronounce "Seek" and Its Forms
Seek: /siːk/ — Stress pattern: O
One-syllable word with long 'ee' sound; rhymes with 'week' and 'peak'.
How to Use "Seek" — Common Grammar Patterns
Formal word often used in written or professional contexts. Past tense 'sought' is irregular.
seek + nounseek + infinitivebe seeking + noun
Example Sentences with "Seek" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: I seek advice from experienced colleagues. A2
- Present Continuous: She is seeking a new opportunity to relocate. B1
Common Collocations with "Seek"
- seek help
- seek advice
- seek employment
- seek opportunities
- seek truth
When to Use "Seek" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- search — careful or thorough hunt for something
- hunt — active pursuit, often with determination
- pursue — chase or follow with intent or goal
Common Mistakes with "Seek"
-
Wrong: She seek often.
Correct: She seeks often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Conjugation Tables for "Seek"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not seek · He does not seek
- Simple past: I did not seek · She did not seek
- Present perfect: I have not sought · He has not sought
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you seek? · Does he seek?
- Simple past: Did you seek?
- Present perfect: Have you sought?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is sought
- Simple past passive: It was sought
- Present perfect passive: It has been sought
Frequently Asked Questions About "Seek"
- Is "seek" regular or irregular?
- "seek" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "seeked" and past participle is "seeked". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "seek"?
- The simple past of "seek" is "seeked".
- Are the past simple and past participle the same for "seek"?
- Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "seeked".