dig for information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dig for information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of searching or investigating to uncover details or facts about a particular subject. Example: "The journalist had to dig for information to uncover the truth behind the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hedge funds often use lobbyists, investigators and other connected people to dig for information about a company or industry.

The New York Times

Another very useful way to dig for information is to use the prefix site: to search within a site.

The New York Times - Tech

Their job was to dig for information about the employee's religion, spending and savings patterns, drinking habits and how the worker "amused himself".

The New York Times

With the new third-party app integrations, if you don't have to dig for information in other apps, it should make your calendar more efficient as well.

TechCrunch

He cared deeply about his students as people -- something that only 27% of those in the recent Gallup survey experienced -- taught me to take nothing at face value and to dig for information (those were the post-Watergate years).

Forbes

Except, unlike analysts who manually dig for information then enter it into spreadsheets and databases for further analysis, DataFox collects information automatically and in real-time using data-mining and machine learning technologies.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Saudi journalists have also been ordered to stop digging for information linking the hijackers to Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times

Mr. Cohen and his staff are known for relentlessly digging for information about publicly traded companies to form a "mosaic," building a complete picture of the company's prospects that gives the firm an edge over other investors.

The New York Times

“They are digging for information,” she says.

Forbes

They go digging for information so they can pivot.

Forbes

One group digs for information about Compaq, another about Hewlett-Packard.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dig for information", ensure the context implies a deliberate and thorough search. Consider stronger verbs like "investigate" or "research" for a more formal tone, or "search" for neutral situations.

Common error

While "dig for information" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "conduct research", "analyze data", or "investigate thoroughly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dig for information" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of searching or investigating to uncover specific details. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, and the examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dig for information" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that describes the act of thoroughly searching for specific details. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it's important to consider the context. The phrase leans towards a neutral register, making it suitable for news articles and general writing. However, more formal contexts might benefit from stronger alternatives like "investigate" or "research". As the examples show, this phrase conveys a sense of effort and persistence in uncovering information, and its usage is relatively common across news media and online resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for details

This alternative directly replaces "dig" with "search", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

seek out information

This alternative is a more general term for actively looking for information.

investigate to uncover facts

This alternative introduces a more formal tone by using "investigate" and "uncover facts".

ferret out facts

This alternative suggests uncovering something hidden or difficult to find, similar to the persistence implied in "dig".

look into to discover data

This alternative is more casual, using "look into" instead of "dig", but still captures the essence of finding information.

unearth data

This alternative draws a parallel between finding information and excavating something buried.

research for intelligence

This alternative is more formal and suggests gathering information for strategic purposes.

mine for data

This alternative suggests extracting valuable information from a large source, similar to mining for resources.

probe for insights

This alternative implies a deeper, more analytical search for understanding.

scout for knowledge

This alternative evokes a sense of actively seeking and gathering knowledge from various sources.

FAQs

How can I use "dig for information" in a sentence?

You can use "dig for information" to describe the act of thoroughly searching for specific details. For example: "The journalist had to dig for information to uncover the scandal."

What is a less common, but still correct alternative to "dig for information"?

A less common, but semantically related alternative is to "ferret out facts", which suggests uncovering something hidden or difficult to find.

When is it appropriate to use "dig for information"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the effort and persistence involved in finding information, especially when it's not readily available. However, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings.

Is there a difference between "dig for information" and "search for information"?

While both phrases refer to looking for information, "dig for information" implies a more intensive and investigative approach. "Search for information" is more general and can refer to a simple search.