Search for proof

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Search for proof" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to look for evidence or verification of a claim or statement. Example: "In order to support your argument, you should search for proof that backs up your claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Throughout the tournament, however, rumors about his age plagued the team, and Little League coaches in Staten Island and Pequannock, N.J., said they hired private investigators to search for proof.

The New York Times - Sports

The search for proof is a process, which requires knowledge of clinical methodology.

International Orthodontics

I have always been resistant to bardolatry, to the constant search for proof that he was wiser, more powerful, more obviously the best than anyone else ever.

The New Yorker

When a psychiatrist is convicted of the murder of a serial killer, her husband embarks on a frantic search for proof of her innocence.

The New York Times

He employed private detectives to search for proof of Charles Stewart Parnell's adultery with Katharine O'Shea and when the evidence was inconclusive, wrote damaging innuendo about the Irish leader's "suburban retreat" in Eltham.

The Guardian - Books

President Bush said today that Iraqi officials and scientists had provided the United States with information that Saddam Hussein may have destroyed or dispersed chemical and biological weapons before the war, suggesting that the search for proof of an Iraqi weapons program could be a long one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

However, the search for proof--absolute incontrovertible proof--of the ivory-bill's existence proved as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack, or in this case, of looking for perhaps only one bird in miles and miles of bayou.

Cornell University

It was Mr. Auburn, who later won a Pulitzer Prize for "Proof," who first saw "Urinetown" at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival.

The New York Times

In August 2008, executives at Air France asked Airbus for proof that the BA pitots worked better in ice, and faced with the question, Airbus conceded that it did not have proof.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was nominated for a Golden Globe for "Proof" in 2005, and is, according to Internet reports, scheduled to play Regan in a movie version of "King Lear" together with Anthony Hopkins and Keira Knightley.

The New York Times

In response, Air France's official policy was to replace the AA pitots on its A330 planes "only when a failure occurred". In August 2008, executives at Air France asked Airbus for proof that the BA pitots worked better in ice, and faced with the question, Airbus conceded that it did not have proof.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "search for proof", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are trying to prove and why the proof is necessary. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid presenting preliminary findings as definitive "proof". Instead, use phrases like "seeking evidence" or "investigating to confirm" until conclusive evidence is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "search for proof" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of seeking evidence or verification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and clear in its intent. The examples show it used across different fields, all implying the need to find supporting evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "search for proof" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of seeking evidence to support a claim. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear what needs to be proved and why the proof is required. Related phrases include "look for evidence" and "seek verification". Be mindful not to overstate preliminary findings as conclusive "proof" until robust evidence is available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Look for evidence

A more general term for finding any kind of evidence, not necessarily conclusive.

Gather evidence

Focuses on the action of collecting evidence from various sources.

Seek verification

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, rather than simply looking for evidence.

Find substantiation

Emphasizes finding support or validation for a claim or idea.

Validate the claim

Emphasizes the act of verifying a specific statement or assertion.

Investigate to confirm

Highlights the act of investigating with the specific goal of confirming something.

Ascertain validity

Focuses on confirming that something is correct or legitimate.

Secure confirmation

Suggests obtaining a formal or official confirmation.

Establish certainty

Highlights the goal of creating a state of sureness or confidence.

Determine the truth

Emphasizes finding the factual accuracy of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "search for proof" in a sentence?

You can use "search for proof" to describe the act of seeking evidence to support a claim. For instance, "The detective had to search for proof to convict the suspect."

What's a good alternative to "search for proof"?

Alternatives include "look for evidence", "seek verification", or "gather evidence", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "search for proof" or "look for proof"?

Both "search for proof" and "look for proof" are acceptable, but "search for proof" may sound slightly more formal or deliberate.

When is it appropriate to "search for proof" instead of assuming something is true?

It's appropriate to "search for proof" when dealing with important claims, especially in contexts such as scientific research, legal proceedings, or journalistic investigations, where factual accuracy is crucial.