Look for confirmation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Look for confirmation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to seek validation or verification of information or a situation. Example: "Before proceeding with the project, please look for confirmation from the client regarding their requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Look for confirmation on the rumor shortly.

TechCrunch

Confirmation bias, for another example, inclines humans to look for confirmation of what they already believe rather than for evidence disproving it.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you open a satellite, you look for confirmation that what you did was good".

BMC Ophthalmology

This allowed the research team to review written accounts, look for confirmation in interviews and, in some instances, to guide direct observation at the facility.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Look for Confirmations: Just like the previous step, you will have things that match the way you thought they would.

WikiHow

"…It is looking for confirmation, having the idea that it's nothing serious… And having that confirmed by a doctor".

BMC Family Practice

(I8) "…It is looking for confirmation, having the idea that it's nothing serious… And having that confirmed by a doctor".

BMC Family Practice

"They were looking for confirmation".

The New York Times - Sports

"They're looking for confirmation of their beliefs".

The New Yorker

People will be looking for confirmation that business has stabilized.

The New York Times

The Markeys were looking for confirmation of a phenomenon called the challenge hypothesis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting data, always "look for confirmation" from multiple independent sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on one source when seeking confirmation. Cross-reference information with multiple sources to mitigate bias and ensure a comprehensive understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for confirmation" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to actively seek evidence or validation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this directive is commonly used in contexts where verification is crucial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look for confirmation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its main purpose is to instruct or advise someone to seek verification or validation of information. Although its frequency is uncommon, with applications across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing, as noted by Ludwig, the register can shift towards a more formal or professional tone based on the specific context. When using this phrase, it’s important to cross-reference with multiple sources to avoid bias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Check to verify

Simple and direct way of indicating a need to check for accuracy.

Seek validation

Emphasizes the act of seeking approval or justification.

Confirm the validity

Focuses on establishing that something is officially correct or acceptable.

Request verification

Highlights the formal process of confirming accuracy.

Validate the accuracy

Stresses confirming the correctness of information.

Try to substantiate

Focuses on providing evidence to support a claim.

Attempt to corroborate

Stresses the need for additional evidence to confirm something.

Verify the authenticity

Focuses on confirming the genuineness of something.

Search for proof

Highlights the search for evidence to support a claim.

Ascertain the truth

Emphasizes the process of finding out what is true.

FAQs

How can I use "look for confirmation" in a sentence?

You can use "look for confirmation" when instructing someone to seek validation or verification of information or a situation. For instance, "Before proceeding, "look for confirmation" from the client regarding their requirements."

What's a good alternative to "look for confirmation"?

Alternatives include "seek validation", "request verification", or "try to substantiate" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "look for confirmation" in research?

In research, to "look for confirmation" means to seek evidence or data that supports a hypothesis or theory. This involves gathering information from various sources to validate the initial findings.

Is "looking for confirmation" the same as "confirmation bias"?

No, "looking for confirmation" is the act of seeking validation, while "confirmation bias" is the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs. One is an action, the other is a cognitive bias.