finding

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "finding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as either a noun or a verb. Example: After much searching, the detectives made a remarkable finding: the suspect had been hiding in the nearby woods.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interested in finding out more about how you can live better?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

"I am finding it quite stressful at the moment," he said.

The Guardian

A large majority of voters said it made no difference – a finding seized on by Angus Robertson, the SNP's election coordinator.

The Guardian

The leader of the centrist Alliance party added: "These talks were never about one parade this summer, they were about agreeing to change the legislation for future years as well as dealing with flags and finding a means of dealing with the past, which provides victims with justice and truth.

The Guardian

In particular, governments should give priority to providing employment and training measures for the long-term unemployed who experience a range of difficulties in finding jobs and are most likely to drop out of the labour force," it added.

The Guardian - Business

In a 500-page report, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) called for urgent improvements in the accountability of undercover firearms operations after finding that a lack of audio or video material "made it difficult, and on occasions impossible, to know with absolute certainty what happened".

The Guardian

Brenda is looking forward to finding a job and saving enough money to study for a master's degree.

The Guardian

But finding such partners in the community can be hard.

The Guardian

"I'm just finding it in a way a little bit disappointing that Frank Rijkaard, who is also such a talented player, seems today to have such a negative role, just looking after [Jürgen] Klinsmann," said the ITV commentator Brian Moore, as the clock ticked towards the 20-minute mark.

The Guardian - Sport

The London Beer Hunt, a "cryptic pub crawl" around east London where participants are given a map, clues and the challenge of finding bottles of craft beer, is another.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. Depending on the context, alternatives like "discovery", "identification", or "determination" can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "finding" when you mean "thinking" or "believing". "Finding" implies discovery, not simply a personal opinion. Instead of saying "I am finding it difficult", consider "I think it is difficult" or "I am finding it to be difficult".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "finding" varies. As a verb, it functions as a present participle, often in continuous tenses. As a noun, it represents a result or discovery, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "finding" is a versatile term that can function as both a verb and a noun, denoting the act of discovering something or the result of a discovery. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse fields, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that using "finding" suggests a concrete discovery rather than a mere opinion. Consider utilizing alternatives such as "discovering" or "determining" to introduce slight changes of meaning and avoid using "finding" when you mean "thinking". Overall, "finding" is a reliable and valuable term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determining

Highlights the act of making a firm decision or conclusion.

discovering

Emphasizes the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

uncovering

Emphasizes revealing something that was hidden or concealed.

identifying

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

realizing

Focuses on understanding or becoming aware of something.

locating

Specifically refers to finding the position of something.

detecting

Suggests the act of noticing something, often subtle.

spotting

Indicates quickly noticing something.

ascertaining

Implies a more formal or methodical process of finding out.

encountering

Suggests finding something unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "finding" in a sentence?

You can use "finding" as a verb (e.g., "I am finding it hard to concentrate") or as a noun (e.g., "The key finding of the report was that...").

What are some alternatives to "finding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discovering", "identifying", or "determining".

Is it correct to say "I am finding" instead of "I find"?

Yes, "I am finding" (present continuous) can be used to describe a current or ongoing experience, while "I find" (simple present) expresses a general truth or habitual action.

What is the difference between "finding" and "conclusion"?

"Finding" typically refers to a specific result or discovery from an investigation or process. "Conclusion", on the other hand, is the final judgment or decision reached after considering all the evidence or findings.