applied for anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applied for anything" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing applications for jobs, programs, or opportunities in a general sense. Example: "After graduating, I felt overwhelmed and applied for anything that seemed interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We haven't applied for anything.

The New York Times

"I've never actually applied for anything," he said.

The New York Times

"Sanctions are applied for anything at all, just to hit the targets".

The Guardian

And no one I spoke to had ever heard of restorative justice applied for anything as serious as murder.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When I got offered that, I decided to stay, mainly because I hadn't applied for anything else and I really liked Glasgow".

Science Magazine

We never really applied for anything though.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I've been applying for anything".

The New York Times

"Now, I'll apply for anything that has a paycheck attached to it," she said.

The New York Times

"I applied for many jobs I was not qualified for because I had to apply for anything to make the quota," wrote another.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They think there are no opportunities out there so they apply for anything and everything and they don't really invest in the time to really look into each organisation".

The Guardian

I said that my then role as controller of Radio 4 was so enjoyable (and it was) that I had not thought of applying for anything until the St Peter's post fell vacant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "applied for anything", ensure the context clearly indicates a broad, unrestricted application strategy. For instance, clarify the range of opportunities you considered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be specific and use synonyms if you did not apply for literally "anything". Saying "I applied for various positions" or "I submitted applications for multiple opportunities" /s/submitted+applications+widely might provide clarity and strength to your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applied for anything" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the action of submitting applications without specific targeting. It denotes a broad approach to seeking opportunities, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "applied for anything" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered way to describe a broad application strategy. Ludwig AI indicates that it accurately conveys a lack of selectivity in seeking opportunities. While useful, it is important to ensure the context supports the broadness of the statement and to consider synonyms like "applied to everything" or "submitted applications widely" for clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

applied to everything

Directly replaces 'anything' with 'everything', implying a comprehensive approach.

applied for all opportunities

More formal, specifies 'opportunities' instead of the general 'anything'.

submitted applications widely

Focuses on the act of 'submitting applications' rather than the scope of 'anything'.

sought every possible option

Shifts from 'applying' to 'seeking', emphasizing exploration of options.

pursued all avenues

Uses a metaphorical expression, suggesting exploration of different paths.

explored all possibilities

Similar to 'sought every possible option', but focuses on 'possibilities'.

left no stone unturned in applications

Idiomatic expression indicating thoroughness in applying.

blanketed the field with applications

Uses a metaphor to describe applying broadly.

put my name in for every opening

Informal, emphasizes personal action.

threw my hat in the ring for everything

An idiomatic way of saying that someone entered every contest.

FAQs

How can I use "applied for anything" in a sentence?

You can use "applied for anything" to express that someone has submitted applications for various opportunities without being particular about the type or role. For example: "After graduating, I felt overwhelmed and "applied for anything" that seemed interesting."

What are some alternatives to saying "applied for anything"?

Alternatives include "applied to everything", "applied for all opportunities", or "submitted applications widely", depending on the level of formality and specific emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "applied for anything" or "applied for everything"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "applied to everything" might imply a more exhaustive approach. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of comprehensiveness you wish to express.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "applied for anything"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that someone was not selective in their applications and considered a wide range of possibilities, especially in situations where they needed any job or opportunity, as similar to what you would express saying something like "sought every possible option".