seeking or seek

Question

I understand the differences between seek and seeking, but I don't know what is the best here. It's a story for children in the Netherlands.

George is seeking everywhere. He is seeking on the slide. He is seeking under the slide, there he sees Tom. Now he still has to seek Mary and Alice. He is seeking on the play tower, there he sees Mary. Mary is very high. George still has to seek Alice. He is seeking under the play tower.

I hope you can help me,

GPY · Accepted Answer

You are using the verb "seek" intransitively. This is unusual at best, and it does not work here. I suggest you use "search" and, as appropriate, "search for" instead. "search" is also generally a more common and everyday word, and more suitable for a story for young children. "look" and "look for" are also possibilities that you could consider.

You have two comma splices (incorrect use of comma to join independent clauses).

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousdifferences between seek and seeking

I would use the verb "look" instead of "seek", but the principle is the same. With the -ing forms the story becomes more lively. It suggests that the actions are taking place at the very moment we speak of them. Without the -ing forms the story contains the same events, but it seems less immediate and more dull to a native speaker.

Use "look", and add "for" when there is an object. The usual result of "look (for) " is "find", so it may be better to use "find" instead of "see" if you want to teach the children the typical patterns of English.

George is looking everywhere. He is looking on the slide. He is looking under the slide. [There he sees Tom. / He finds Tom there.] Now he still has to look for Mary and Alice. He is looking on the play tower. [There he sees Mary. / He finds Mary there.] Mary is very high. George still has to look for Alice. He is looking under the play tower.

CJ

seeking or seek

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