he located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he located" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone finding or discovering a specific place, object, or piece of information. Example: "After hours of searching, he located the missing documents in the storage room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It looked like he located it down the middle".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Stoff recounted how he located another rare aircraft.

The New York Times

He located an entry that seemed right on target.

The New York Times

He located things with an efficient ease I found disconcerting.

The New Yorker

He located his old tank commander and rekindled their friendship.

The New York Times

He located only 131 peer-reviewed studies published since 1937.

Harvard Business Review

He located a piece of mail and relayed the information.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I thought he was sharp; he located well," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

He located Mr. Thorne, and the two discussed publishing them in book form.

The New York Times

The next day he located another U-boat, gave chase but lost it.

The Guardian

After a long search he located Pete and shot him in self-defense.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "he found" or "he discovered" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "he located" when "he found" would suffice, particularly in informal writing. Overusing "located" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted. Consider the context and choose the simplest, most natural-sounding option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he located" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the past tense. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating that a male subject performed the action of finding or discovering something. This aligns with Ludwig's indication of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he located" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in news, science, and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective way to describe someone finding something. While widely accepted, it's important to be mindful of the tone and avoid overuse in informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives like "he found" when appropriate. By understanding its nuances and context, you can effectively incorporate "he located" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he found

Direct synonym, indicating a simple act of finding.

he discovered

Implies a more significant or unexpected finding.

he identified

Suggests recognizing or establishing what something is.

he pinpointed

Emphasizes precision in finding the exact location or detail.

he detected

Implies using special methods or senses to find something.

he came across

Suggests finding something unexpectedly or by chance.

he determined the whereabouts of

A more formal way of saying he found where someone or something is.

he tracked down

Implies effort and persistence in finding someone or something.

he unearthed

Suggests uncovering something hidden or buried.

he situated

Describes placing something in a specific location.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he located"?

You can use alternatives like "he found", "he discovered", or "he identified" depending on the context.

When is it most appropriate to use "he located"?

Use "he located" when emphasizing a search or the effort to find something specific. It's suitable when the finding involved a process or investigation.

Is "he located" more formal than "he found"?

Yes, "he located" generally carries a more formal tone compared to "he found". The choice depends on the desired level of formality in your writing.

Can "he located" be used to describe finding abstract concepts or information?

Yes, "he located" can be used for both physical objects and abstract concepts, such as when someone locates information in a database or locates the source of a problem.