foraging for provisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foraging for provisions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of searching for food or supplies, often in a context related to survival or gathering. Example: "During the hike, we spent hours foraging for provisions in the forest, hoping to find edible plants and berries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What a "wintry mix" does is make you want to stay home — or perhaps go into the world foraging for provisions simply for the pleasure of getting home again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That father would often disappear for a month into the tiaga, or forest, foraging for food and provisions from the banks of the Bikin River.

Independent

Residents are starving and foraging for food.

The Washington Post

Foraging - When foraging for arthropods, primarily sallies from the canopy.

Cornell University

Foraging for Votes NEXT -- Turning consumer information into political fingerprints.

The New York Times

We'd have gone foraging for cèpes that morning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The best is an armadillo, busily foraging for food.

The New York Times - Arts

The hugging of trees and the foraging for mushrooms.

The New Yorker

A large male chimpanzee was foraging for food.

The Guardian

Nu er det nok! Enough with foraging for dinner.

The Guardian

Wild pigs still came here foraging for fruit.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foraging for provisions", ensure the context clearly indicates a search for essential supplies, especially food. It's best suited for scenarios involving survival, wilderness, or resource scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "foraging for provisions" in everyday situations where "shopping for groceries" or "getting supplies" would be more appropriate. The phrase evokes a sense of wilderness or scarcity that may not fit modern, urban contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foraging for provisions" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of actively searching and gathering essential supplies, especially food. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It often implies a context of survival or resource scarcity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foraging for provisions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of actively searching and gathering essential supplies, primarily food. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is relatively rare in modern usage, often appearing in contexts related to survival, wilderness, or historical events. While semantically similar alternatives exist, this phrase evokes a specific sense of effort and necessity in obtaining resources. It is suitable for neutral to slightly formal registers, as supported by its presence in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finding provisions

Shortened version emphasizing the outcome of the search.

securing provisions

Highlights making provisions safe and available.

searching for supplies

Emphasizes the act of looking for general supplies, not necessarily limited to food.

gathering food supplies

Highlights the collection of food items for future use.

gathering edibles

Specifically refers to collecting edible items, typically in the wild.

seeking sustenance

Focuses on the act of finding what is needed to sustain life.

scavenging for necessities

Implies finding essential items, often in a difficult or desperate situation.

procuring sustenance

Emphasizes the act of obtaining what is needed for survival.

hunting for resources

Suggests a more active and purposeful search for various resources.

collecting victuals

Uses a more formal or archaic term for food.

FAQs

What does "foraging for provisions" mean?

The phrase "foraging for provisions" refers to the act of searching and gathering essential supplies, particularly food, often in a wild or survival context. It suggests actively seeking out necessities.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "foraging for provisions"?

It's appropriate when describing situations where individuals or groups are actively seeking food and other essential supplies, typically in environments where these items are not readily available, such as in the wilderness or during times of scarcity. Using "searching for supplies" can be appropriate too, based on context.

What are some alternatives to "foraging for provisions"?

Some alternatives include "gathering food supplies", "seeking sustenance", or simply "finding provisions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "foraging for provisions" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "foraging for provisions" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register. While not overly technical, it's more descriptive and less casual than phrases like "looking for food" or "getting stuff".