hunt for prey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hunt for prey' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used when referring to a predator seeking out food. For example, "The tiger paced through the jungle in search of its next meal, a hunt for prey that would require patience and skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

With her long, muscular limbs and shrewd, darting eyes, she is always on the hunt for prey.

The New Yorker

Most rattlesnakes live in arid habitats and are nocturnal, hiding during the day but emerging in the evening or at twilight to hunt for prey, which consists primarily of small mammals, especially rodents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Depicting two hunters (one seems to be stalking the other) in a broad valley, it seems to refer to certain proverbs, one of them being "A hare yourself, you hunt for prey".

The New York Times - Arts

You know this partly because 36 seconds into the video, these words appear on screen: "A raiding column of female ants is on the hunt for prey," and partly because of the ominous bass-driven music, "Mind Heist," from the trailer to the movie "Inception".

The New York Times - Science

One put forward by the director of South Sinai Conservation, Mohammed Salem, is that the attacks stem from uncontrolled fishing in popular diving areas – that sharks are having to become bolder and more aggressive in their hunt for prey, owing to a growing shortage of their natural food in the ocean.

The Guardian

"At dusk four owls began quartering the windswept hillside below the Iron Age hill fort on the hunt for prey.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Monitors often hunt in packs, like modern-day velociraptors, smelling for prey with their extremely sensitive tongues.

The New Yorker

Oddly, it is not calling for an end to hunting with birds of prey, which some hunts use to circumvent the ban.

The Guardian

They're hunting for prey in a concentrated area, which can be defined and examined".

The New Yorker

Phelps – akin to a shark hunting for prey – has 23 gold medals.

The Guardian - Sport

Tigers spend most of their time sleeping in their lairs, coming out only when hunger sends them hunting for prey.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hunt for prey" to vividly describe a predator's active pursuit of food, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. For example, 'The company is on the hunt for new clients.'

Common error

Avoid using "prey" as the action of hunting; "prey" is the object being hunted. Use "hunt for prey" or "prey on" to correctly describe the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hunt for prey" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of seeking and pursuing animals for food. Ludwig provides examples in which this phrase appears with animals, insects, humans, and even companies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hunt for prey" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of predators seeking food. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English and frequently appears across diverse contexts such as news, science, and general knowledge. The phrase effectively conveys the active pursuit and search involved in predatory behavior, and it can also be used metaphorically. While alternatives like ""search for prey"" or "stalk prey" offer subtle variations in emphasis, "hunt for prey" remains a versatile and appropriate choice for most situations requiring a description of this fundamental aspect of the natural world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for prey

Emphasizes the act of looking for prey, using a more general term for seeking.

hunt for sustenance

Combines the active hunting aspect with the basic need for survival.

stalk prey

Highlights the stealthy approach predators use to get closer to prey.

track down prey

Emphasizes the effort and skill involved in finding and following prey.

pursue prey

Focuses on the chase and active pursuit of prey.

prey on

Highlights the predatory action of targeting and consuming prey.

go after prey

Suggests a direct and determined pursuit of prey.

forage for food

Describes a more general search for food, applicable to animals that graze or scavenge.

seek sustenance

A more formal way of describing the search for food or nourishment.

scavenge for food

Describes finding food from already dead animals or discarded matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "hunt for prey" to describe the act of a predator seeking food, such as: "The lion began its nightly "search for prey"." It can also be used metaphorically.

What are some alternatives to saying "hunt for prey"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""search for prey"", "stalk prey", or "pursue prey".

Is it correct to say "hunting prey" instead of "hunt for prey"?

While "hunting prey" is grammatically correct and implies the act of hunting, "hunt for prey" emphasizes the search aspect, making it suitable when the search is a key focus. "Hunting prey" focuses more on the action of hunting itself.

What's the difference between "hunt for prey" and "forage for food"?

"Hunt for prey" typically implies predatory behavior, actively seeking and pursuing living animals. "Forage for food" describes a more general search for sustenance, which might include plants, insects, or scavenging.