Seek / Search for
UsageSeek normally takes its object directly: seek approval, seek advice or seek clarification. Use search for when you mean actively try to locate something.
Seek
Use when
You mean try to obtain or ask for something; place the object directly after the verb.
Example
“We seek the Committee's approval to extend the pilot by six months.”
Search for
Use when
You mean make an active attempt to find a person, place, object or information.
Example
“The audit team searched for the missing supporting records.”
Quick check
seek for approval, sought for advice, seeking for clarification
Usage note
Seek can be followed by other prepositions when they begin a separate phrase, as in seek advice from Legal. The error is inserting for between seek and its object.