guys out for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guys out for" is not correct in standard written English and may be confusing without additional context.
It could potentially be used in informal spoken language, but it lacks clarity in written form. Example: "I saw the guys out for a walk in the park."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go and kill some Americans?

The New York Times

Or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go kill some Americans?

Independent

Later, he added, "I think what would keep most guys out for a long time obviously hasn't kept me out".

The New York Times - Sports

"Was it because of a protest, or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go kill some Americans?

The New York Times

Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that they'd they go kill some Americans?

The Washington Post

Clinton: Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go kill some Americans?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

You've got to pitch him inside to get the guy out, for sure".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not about the game when it gets to the point of having a guy out for a year, guys retiring early," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He knocked the guy out, for heaven's sake, while challenging a chargedown with his arms down by his side".

The Guardian - Sport

I believe in all these things, but I'm not gutsy enough to ask a guy out for coffee, let alone propose marriage.

The Guardian - Opinion

I went up to him in the middle of the gym and kicked him in the shins.Amy I once took a guy out for a Valentine's Day dinner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guys out for", ensure the context is clear and the phrase is part of a larger, grammatically sound construction. For instance, "guys out for a walk" is more understandable than "guys out for" alone.

Common error

Avoid using "guys out for" as a standalone phrase. It often needs a clarifying element to specify what the "guys" are "out for". Without it, the phrase can sound awkward or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guys out for" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, often requiring additional context to convey a complete thought. Ludwig shows that it commonly appears within larger sentences to describe intention or purpose.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sports

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guys out for" presents a nuanced linguistic challenge. Ludwig indicates that it is often used informally, requiring additional context to be grammatically complete and clearly understood. While examples exist in news and sports contexts, its inherent informality limits its applicability in formal writing. Due to the phrase frequently needing more context, it's considered grammatically incorrect in many cases. Therefore, consider alternative phrases like "men seeking" or "individuals pursuing" for more formal or precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

men seeking

Focuses on the act of searching or desiring something, similar to being "out for" something.

individuals pursuing

Emphasizes the active pursuit of a goal or objective.

people aiming for

Highlights the target or goal that individuals are trying to achieve.

lads looking for

Uses a more informal term ("lads") while maintaining the sense of searching.

men in pursuit of

Highlights the chase or quest aspect.

dudes after

A very informal and colloquial alternative.

blokes seeking

Another informal alternative, common in British English.

chaps pursuing

A more old-fashioned and somewhat humorous alternative.

fellows aiming for

A slightly more formal and old-fashioned alternative.

gents seeking

A very formal and slightly archaic alternative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "guys out for" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "men seeking", "individuals pursuing", or "people aiming for". These alternatives /s/men+seeking, /s/individuals+pursuing and /s/people+aiming+for offer a more professional and grammatically complete tone depending on the context.

Is "guys out for" grammatically correct in all contexts?

No, "guys out for" is often considered grammatically incomplete without further clarification. It's generally better to specify what they are "out for", such as "guys out for a drink" or use alternatives depending on the context.

What are some informal alternatives to "guys out for"?

Informal options include "lads looking for", "dudes after", or "blokes seeking". /s/lads+looking+for, /s/dudes+after and /s/blokes+seeking These are suitable for casual conversation but might not be appropriate for formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "guys out for"?

"Guys out for" is appropriate in informal settings where the context is already clear. For example, in a conversation about a baseball game, "the guys out there for New York" might be understood. However, for clarity, consider alternatives in formal writing.