be looked for

USAGE SUMMARY

"be looked for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that someone or something is being sought out. For example, "The missing child was still being looked for days after her disappearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is an age of revolutions, in which every thing may be looked for".

The New Yorker

Given that the quotas are not biting, the reasons for the current low milk prices must be looked for elsewhere.

The Economist

"The reporter liaises with the police, establishes what has to be looked for, draws up a strategy," Sheriff explains.

The Guardian

The last quoted sentence demonstrates, like many others, that stylistic felicity, or even coherent grammar, is not to be looked for here.

The Guardian - Books

These key sources of distress should be looked for.

Journal of Critical Care

Shorts and opens must be looked for in details.

The Art of Designing Embedded Systems

and its solution can be looked for on numerical bases.

Advances in Difference Equations

Instead, approximative solution methods must be looked for exact analytical solutions of boundary value problems.

The Mechanics of Constitutive Modeling

Instead solutions for the polltion problems will have to be looked for in the core of industrial design and production.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

So potential for this role "is something that will be looked for in the interview".

Science Magazine

Comorbidity occurring more than by chance indicates that, where one disease occurs, the other should be looked for.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “be looked for” when indicating something should be actively searched or watched for, especially in instructions or procedures. For example, "Signs of damage should be looked for during routine maintenance."

Common error

Avoid using “be looked for” when an active construction is clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The answer needs to be looked for", use "You need to look for the answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be looked for" functions as a passive construction of the verb "look for", indicating that something is the object of a search or investigation. According to Ludwig, it is a valid expression. It commonly appears in instructions, recommendations, and descriptions of procedures where something needs to be actively sought or identified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be looked for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates something should be actively searched or watched for. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid and useful phrase in English writing. It is most common in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the context calls for a passive voice and that the meaning is clear: something needs active and intentional seeking. Alternatives like "be sought after" or "be searched for" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be looked into

Similar, but slightly more informal.

Be searched for

Focuses more directly on the act of searching.

Be sought after

Emphasizes desirability or demand, rather than a simple search.

Be watched for

Implies vigilance and anticipation of an event or appearance.

Be anticipated

Highlights the expectation of something happening.

Be expected

Suggests a reasonable expectation or likelihood.

Be investigated

Involves a formal inquiry or examination.

Be examined

Focuses on a detailed inspection or assessment.

Be inspected

Emphasizes a careful and methodical examination.

Be explored

Implies an in-depth discovery process.

FAQs

How can I use "be looked for" in a sentence?

Use "be looked for" when you want to express that something should be actively searched or sought out. For example, "Specific symptoms should be looked for to diagnose the disease."

What is a synonym for "be looked for"?

Alternatives to "be looked for" include "be sought after", "be searched for", or "be investigated", depending on the context.

When should I use "be looked into" instead of "be looked for"?

"Be looked into" is best used when referring to an investigation or examination of a problem or issue, while "be looked for" is used when referring to searching for a specific item or sign. For example, "The complaint will "be looked into"", and "Signs of tampering should be looked for".

What does it mean when something needs to "be looked for"?

It means that active effort and attention are required to find or identify something specific. The phrase emphasizes the need to search carefully and thoroughly for what is needed.