hunt for

USAGE SUMMARY

"hunt for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are looking for something that may be difficult to find. For example: "I spent all afternoon hunting for the missing key."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll hunt for food".

The New York Times

Let it hunt for itselfagain.

The New Yorker

The prolonged hunt for remains.

The New York Times

They hunt for compromise.

The Washington Post

— Republicans hunt for revenue.

The Washington Post

Hunt for overwintering insects.

The New York Times - Style

The hunt for Cinderella was on.

The New York Times

Editors still hunt for the next one.

The New York Times - Books

You have to hunt for them.

The Economist

Hunt for trends in the polling data.

The New York Times

Police are on the hunt for suspects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hunt for" when you want to emphasize a determined and often challenging search.

Common error

While "hunt for" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "seek" or "search" in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

"Hunt for" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of actively searching for something, often with a sense of determination. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hunt for" is a versatile phrasal verb that effectively conveys a determined search. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, media, and general writing. While it may be appropriate to choose more formal alternatives in some academic and professional contexts, "hunt for" remains a strong and evocative choice for expressing the act of searching. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its varied applications, from literal hunts to figurative searches for solutions or information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for

Uses a more general term for looking for something.

look for

A very common and straightforward way to express the same idea.

seek out

Implies a more deliberate and focused search.

track down

Suggests a persistent effort to find something that is difficult to locate.

scout for

Suggests searching for something, often for a specific purpose or advantage.

forage for

Implies searching for something essential, like food or resources.

ferret out

To discover something secret or hidden, after searching thoroughly.

fish for

Trying to obtain something indirectly or subtly.

rummage for

Suggests searching through a disorganized collection of items.

quest for

Implies a long and challenging search for something of great value.

FAQs

How can I use "hunt for" in a sentence?

You can use "hunt for" to describe a determined search, as in "They will "hunt for" the best deals during Black Friday".

What are some alternatives to "hunt for"?

Some alternatives to "hunt for" include "search for", "look for", and "seek out", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "hunt for" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "hunt for" may be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "search" or "seek".

What is the difference between "hunt for" and "search for"?

"Hunt for" implies a more active and determined search, often suggesting that the object is difficult to find. "Search for" is a more general term.