an ongoing search

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing search" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or persistent effort to find something or to seek information. Example: "The team is engaged in an ongoing search for innovative solutions to improve our product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The result was an ongoing search for a better pavement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her career was an ongoing search for the right part, the right direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Throughout Bradwell's tenure there was an ongoing search for a permanent home for the company in Hull.

The Guardian

The result has been an ongoing search among mental health experts for a reliable test for depression.

The New York Times

Flight 370 is believed to have crashed in a remote stretch of the southern Indian Ocean but an ongoing search found nothing so far.

The Guardian

Finding balance and your own identity is an ongoing search that sometimes you land on, and sometimes you have to fight to find.

The New York Times

Terry Howard, chair of the Kinder Advisory Group which brings interest groups together, said: "While there is an ongoing search for other options, we may have to accept the need for a fence if no other solution is sufficient.

The Guardian

Rock's (1986) model describes underpricing as an ongoing search for equilibrium.

Financial Innovation

There is an ongoing search for the best learning and teaching models in clinical education.

Nurse Education in Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Recently, there has been an intense ongoing search for suitable cell sources for vascular tissue engineering.

Annals of Vascular Surgery

Kechiche's lead actresses, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux, have spoken of the extreme demands of his process, of the hundred or more takes of a simple street sequence, of the demanding work of the bedroom scenes, of the physical exertion that he asks of them, of the sense of a shared ongoing search that he evokes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ongoing search" to clearly indicate that a process of discovery or investigation is currently active and not yet concluded. For example, "The police have an ongoing search for the missing person."

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing search" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is conducting the search. Instead of saying "There is an ongoing search being conducted", specify who is searching: "The research team has an ongoing search for new data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing search" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "search". It describes the nature of the search as being in progress and continuous. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing search" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe a continuous process of investigation or discovery. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is both usable and understandable in a variety of contexts. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related domains. When using "an ongoing search", ensure clarity by specifying who is conducting the search and avoid overly passive constructions. Alternatives such as "a continuing investigation" or "a persistent inquiry" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase is commonly used across authoritative sources, indicating its acceptance and reliability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing investigation

Focuses more on a formal or structured search, often in a legal or official context.

a persistent inquiry

Highlights the determined and relentless nature of the search.

a sustained exploration

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the search over a prolonged period.

a continuous quest

Implies a long and arduous search, often for something of great value or importance.

a relentless pursuit

Suggests an unwavering and determined effort to find something, often against obstacles.

a never-ending hunt

Emphasizes the seemingly limitless duration of the search.

a prolonged investigation

Highlights the length and depth of the search process.

an active exploration

Focuses on the current and energetic nature of the search.

a standing inquiry

Implies a search that is always active and ready to be pursued.

a constant probing

Suggests a detailed and thorough examination as part of the search.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing search" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing search" to describe a continuing effort to find something or to investigate a matter. For example: "The company has "an ongoing search" for a new CEO".

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing search"?

Alternatives include "a continuing investigation", "a persistent inquiry", or "a sustained exploration", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an ongoing search" or "a continuous search"?

Both "an ongoing search" and "a continuous search" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. "Ongoing" emphasizes that the search is currently in progress, while "continuous" highlights that the search is without interruption. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "an ongoing search" and "an active search"?

"An ongoing search" indicates that the search has been in progress for some time and is still active. "An active search" simply implies that the search is currently being pursued, without necessarily suggesting how long it has been in progress.