coming looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is searching for or seeking out a person or thing. Example: "She was coming looking for her lost dog in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As she said, "all these people coming looking for peace and going to pieces.

The Guardian - Film

EW: be patient, it will coming looking for you.

TechCrunch

We more effectively shape outcomes as we pay attention to what's coming, looking for signs we're outside normal work or running out of margins that enable us to adapt and respond.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Would their parents come looking for them?

The New Yorker

Don't come looking for hagiography, either.

The New York Times - Books

"They come looking for prostitutes.

The Guardian

Others came looking for loans.

The New York Times

They came looking for me.

The New York Times - Books

They come looking for hope.

The New York Times

"They come looking for us".

The Guardian

I came looking for the blues.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming looking for" when you want to emphasize the continuous or ongoing nature of the search.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "coming looking for" can sound slightly informal. In professional or academic writing, consider using more direct synonyms like "searching for" or "seeking" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming looking for" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It often describes an action that is ongoing or in progress, where someone is actively searching while also approaching a location or situation. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe a continuous search.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "coming looking for" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that indicates an ongoing search while approaching a location or situation. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media, though it can also appear in scientific contexts. While understandable and acceptable, it's less common than simpler alternatives like "searching for". When crafting your writing, consider if a more direct synonym would improve clarity, particularly in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, "coming looking for" is usable in written English, particularly when emphasizing the continuous or ongoing nature of a search.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searching for

Replaces "coming looking for" with a more direct and common synonym for seeking.

seeking

A more formal synonym that implies a deliberate search.

in pursuit of

Emphasizes the act of chasing or following with a specific goal.

hunting for

Implies a more active and aggressive search.

trying to find

Highlights the effort involved in locating something.

on the lookout for

Suggests being watchful and waiting to discover something.

questing for

A more literary and archaic term for searching with determination.

scouting for

Implies a careful and exploratory search.

rummaging for

Suggests a disorganized or haphazard search.

ferreting out

Implies uncovering something hidden or difficult to find.

FAQs

What does "coming looking for" mean?

The phrase "coming looking for" means actively searching or seeking someone or something while in the process of arriving or approaching. It implies a dual action of both moving towards and searching.

How can I use "coming looking for" in a sentence?

You can use "coming looking for" to describe someone who is in the process of arriving while also actively searching for something, such as "She was "coming looking for" her keys when she tripped on the stairs".

What are some alternatives to "coming looking for"?

Some alternatives to "coming looking for" include "searching for", "seeking", or "in pursuit of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "come looking for" or "coming looking for"?

The choice between "come looking for" and "coming looking for" depends on the tense and context. "Come looking for" is used for general statements or future actions, while "coming looking for" implies an ongoing or continuous action.