a quick search

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick search" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a period of time spent searching for something that ended quickly. For example: "I did a quick search online, but couldn't find the answer I was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A quick search, however, turned up nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

A quick search reveals that some candidates have famous friends.

The New York Times

A quick search revealed one very worrying tweet: "Wait, what.

The Guardian

So I do a quick search for advertised jobs.

The Guardian

Time for a quick search through the stats.

The Guardian - Opinion

A quick search of the internet reveals several such firms.

The Guardian - Money

A quick search of the car turned up no weapon.

The Guardian

After a quick search of his person and belongings, he told me no.

The New Yorker

(JDate, for example, allows a "quick search" using only location and age as criteria).

The New York Times - Magazine

A quick search of Expedia resulted in at least 141 choices.

The New York Times - Travel

So it's wise to review the results of a quick search of your name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick search" when you want to emphasize the brevity and ease of finding information. It's ideal for contexts where minimal effort is required to get results.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick search" when the process actually involved significant time or effort. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick search" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "do a quick search") or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "after a quick search"). Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

32%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick search" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a brief and efficient investigation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific content. When using the phrase, emphasize the ease and brevity of the search process, and consider alternatives like "a brief investigation" or "a fast lookup" to add variety to your writing. Be careful not to misrepresent the actual effort involved, as this can undermine credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fast lookup

Substitutes 'search' with 'lookup', highlighting the act of retrieving information rapidly.

a rapid check

Substitutes 'search' with 'check', focusing on a swift verification or inspection.

a simple search

Emphasizes the easiness of the search instead of the time spent.

a brief investigation

Replaces 'search' with 'investigation', emphasizing the act of examining something briefly.

a short scan

Replaces 'search' with 'scan', implying a quick overview or examination.

a fast review

Substitutes 'search' with 'review', emphasizing a quick assessment or overview.

a speedy inquiry

Changes 'search' to 'inquiry', suggesting a rapid process of asking or seeking information.

a swift exploration

Replaces 'search' with 'exploration', suggesting a fast investigation.

a cursory examination

Changes 'quick' to 'cursory' and 'search' to 'examination', indicating a superficial look.

a brief perusal

Changes 'search' to 'perusal', indicating a casual reading or examination.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick search" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick search" to describe a brief investigation. For instance, "After "a quick search", I found the information I needed."

What are some alternatives to "a quick search"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a brief investigation", "a fast lookup", or "a speedy inquiry", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a quick search"?

It's appropriate when the search process is genuinely short and straightforward. Avoid using it if the search required significant time or complex methods.

What's the difference between "a quick search" and "an exhaustive search"?

"A quick search" implies a brief and simple inquiry, whereas "an exhaustive search" suggests a thorough and comprehensive investigation. The choice depends on the depth and scope of the search performed.