desperately looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

"desperately looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is in a state of urgency and desperation. Example sentence: Mary was desperately looking for her cat, in case it had been taken from her yard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Right now, we're desperately looking for a block of time".

The New York Times - Arts

My mother was desperately looking for her mother.

The New York Times - Sports

With money tight, municipalities are desperately looking for financial help.

The New York Times

"We always are desperately looking for skilled volunteers".

The New York Times

As Mr Lammert has put it, "we are at times desperately looking for him".

The Economist

Flash forward 18 years and everyone is desperately looking for Meléndez.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is offensive to those desperately looking for employment," he says.

The Guardian

After Wednesday's presidential debate fiasco, the Obama campaign was desperately looking for some good news.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These days, we are desperately looking for jobs in our area, but in vain".

The Guardian

The event was booked out and there were people standing outside desperately looking for tickets.

The Guardian - Books

Wright was then Dia's director — and was desperately looking for someone to take his place.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately looking for" when you want to convey a strong sense of urgency and the high stakes involved in finding something. This phrase is appropriate when the search is driven by necessity or extreme need.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately looking for" in contexts where the search is not particularly urgent or important. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

Desperately looking for functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, indicating an ongoing action of searching with urgency. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used, denoting a state of active and intense searching.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately looking for" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys a sense of urgency and high stakes in a search. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its prevalent usage in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "urgently seeking" or "frantically searching for" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to use this phrase when the search is truly critical, ensuring your writing resonates with the intended emotional weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frantically searching for

Suggests a sense of panic and urgency in the search.

urgently seeking

Emphasizes the immediate need or pressing nature of the search.

intensely seeking

Focuses on the high level of effort and concentration in the search.

anxiously seeking

Highlights the worry and concern associated with the search.

eagerly searching for

Highlights the enthusiasm and anticipation in the search.

avidly searching

Suggests a strong desire and enthusiasm in the search.

earnestly seeking

Implies a sincere and serious effort in the search.

ardently pursuing

Emphasizes the passionate and determined nature of the search.

zealously seeking

Highlights the fervent and energetic approach to the search.

resolutely seeking

Focuses on the firm determination and unwavering commitment to the search.

FAQs

What does "desperately looking for" mean?

The phrase "desperately looking for" means searching for something with a sense of urgency, often driven by a critical need or a feeling of great anxiety and concern.

What can I say instead of "desperately looking for"?

You can use alternatives like "urgently seeking", "frantically searching for", or "intensely seeking" depending on the context.

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

You can use "desperately looking for" to describe someone or something searching with extreme urgency. For example, "The company was desperately looking for a solution to the crisis."

Is "desperately looking for" formal or informal?

"Desperately looking for" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it carries a strong emotional connotation of urgency and need.