conduct a search

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conduct a search" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to searching for a specific piece of information, whether online or offline. For example, "I decided to conduct a search for more information about the history of the civil rights movement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Conduct a search while logged in (with Social Search intact), then do the same search while logged out.

WikiHow

Probst said there was no plan to conduct a search for a permanent chief executive.

The New York Times - Sports

For an extra fee, some agencies will conduct a search for you.

The New York Times - Travel

Colleen Chassan engaged a family friend, Mary L. Holman, to conduct a search for the manuscript.

The New Yorker

"Rather than conduct a search in mid-year, he asked if I would do it.

The New York Times

The Fourth Amendment requires individualized suspicion before the government can conduct a search.

The New York Times

You can then send a member a message or conduct a search.

The New York Times

If he's going on to conduct a search, that's something else".

The New York Times

At the time, the team announced it would conduct a search for a replacement.

The New York Times - Sports

As soon as the alarm was raised, Eurotunnel closed the French entrance and police were called to conduct a search.

The Guardian

Lt. Tom Fowler of the Branford Police Department said the town had a rescue boat conduct a search.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider "conduct a search" for its neutral and professional tone. In more casual contexts, "run a search" may be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "conduct a search" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "search" or "look up" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conduct a search" functions as a verb phrase where "conduct" acts as a transitive verb taking "a search" as its direct object. It signifies the action of carrying out an investigation or inquiry. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is generally correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conduct a search" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for describing the act of searching. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in English. It's versatile, suitable for formal and informal contexts, and implies a methodical investigation. While "perform a search" or "carry out a search" serve as viable alternatives, understanding the nuances of formality can help tailor your writing to the specific situation. Remember to avoid overusing it in highly casual conversations, opting for simpler terms like "search" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform a search

Changes the verb from "conduct" to "perform", offering a slightly more formal tone.

carry out a search

Uses "carry out" instead of "conduct", providing a common and interchangeable alternative.

undertake a search

Replaces "conduct" with "undertake", suggesting a more deliberate and formal approach to searching.

start a search

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative, replacing "conduct" with "start".

begin a search

Similar to "start a search", but can imply a slightly more formal or structured beginning.

initiate a search

Substitutes "conduct" with "initiate", emphasizing the beginning of the search process.

launch a search

Replaces "conduct" with "launch", often used when referring to broader investigations or inquiries.

make a search

Uses "make" instead of "conduct", offering a slightly less formal tone and a more direct feel.

execute a search

Substitutes "conduct" with "execute", often used in technical or procedural contexts.

run a search

A more casual alternative, particularly common in the context of online searches or database queries.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "conduct a search" in a sentence?

The phrase "conduct a search" is versatile. You can use it to describe any kind of systematic investigation. For example: "The police will "conduct a search" of the premises".

What can I say instead of "conduct a search"?

You can use alternatives like "perform a search", "carry out a search", or simply "search" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "conduct a search" or "do a search"?

"Conduct a search" is generally considered more formal than "do a search". In professional or academic writing, ""conduct a search"" is often preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "conduct a search" versus simply "search"?

Use "conduct a search" when you want to emphasize the systematic and methodical nature of the investigation. Simply using "search" is suitable for less formal situations.