ideally looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ideally looking for" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that you are interested in a certain type of thing or situation that is ideal in comparison to other options. For example: "I'm ideally looking for a job where I can use my knowledge of finance and business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Everton are ideally looking for loan deals though the prospect of them buying is not out of the question.

Independent

Jessica Johnson, who owns Johnson Security Bureau, had a question for Ms. Shaw: "How much money are you ideally looking for, because if it's a large sum, maybe a V.C. is better, but if it's not that large, then maybe there's another way you can be more creative about getting the financing?" Ms. Johnson said the decision to "go the V.C. route" should be based on Ms. Shaw's "endgame".

The New York Times

Asked in July if he would be applying, Sir Hugh said: "I haven't finally made up my mind whether to put my hat in the ring, but I note that the mayor (Boris Johnson) is on record as saying that he is ideally looking for a woman to do the job… and that is something that anyone interested in the job has to think about before they decide whether to go for it".

BBC

Investors are ideally looking for the whole package - a product developer that is, in her own way, a solid evangelist AND a salesperson knowledgeable enough about the product to interact closely and credibly with customers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Ideally, look for a four hour maximum response time for emergency repairs.

WikiHow

Ideally, look for meat as one of the first ingredients on a pet food label.

WikiHow

You should ideally be looking for an artist that posts new stuff on a fairly regular basis, as this means they are actively tattooing and getting work, but not so busy that you're going to be on a waiting list for five years if you pick them (unless you're willing to wait five years of course).

WikiHow

Ideally, look out for fruit which still has its leaves intact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ideally, David is looking for a car with five doors, decent rear legroom, which is small and easy to park, with an automatic gearbox.

Independent

Ideally we are looking for groups that can cook the food, meaning they can blend it [with food from other sources]." But the British still have a long way to go to catch up to their French counterparts.

Independent

Ideally we are looking for a small team of co-founders, most likely still in college.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ideally looking for", ensure the context clearly defines what the ideal characteristics or qualities are. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ideally looking for" without clearly defining the parameters of what constitutes the 'ideal'. This can lead to unrealistic expectations or misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ideally looking for" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating a preferred or optimal search criterion. It clarifies the conditions under which someone is searching for something. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is deemed correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ideally looking for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a preference in a search or selection process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, while also clarifying its usage in real-world examples. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with its register being generally neutral, as inferred from the examples provided by Ludwig. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the criteria that constitute the 'ideal' to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ideally seeking

Replaces "looking for" with "seeking", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

preferably searching for

Substitutes "ideally" with "preferably" and "looking for" with "searching for", emphasizing preference.

optimally desiring

Replaces "looking for" with "desiring", highlighting the wish for an ideal outcome.

ideally wanting

Replaces "looking for" with "wanting", focusing on the ideal wish.

ideally hoping for

Replaces "looking for" with "hoping for", suggesting a desired expectation.

ideally aiming for

Replaces "looking for" with "aiming for", focusing on a specific target.

ideally pursuing

Replaces "looking for" with "pursuing", implying a more active search.

ideally targeting

Replaces "looking for" with "targeting", highlighting a specific aim.

in a perfect world, searching for

Replaces "ideally" with the idiom "in a perfect world", which conveys a hypothetical ideal situation.

perfectly looking for

Replaces "ideally" with "perfectly", which is similar but places even stronger emphasis on flawlessness.

FAQs

How can I use "ideally looking for" in a sentence?

You can use "ideally looking for" to express a preference or desired outcome. For example, "I'm ideally looking for a candidate with experience in project management."

What can I say instead of "ideally looking for"?

You can use alternatives like "ideally seeking", "preferably searching for", or "optimally desiring" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ideally looking for" in formal writing?

Yes, "ideally looking for" is acceptable in formal writing, though more formal alternatives like "preferably searching for" might be preferred in very formal contexts.

What does "ideally looking for" imply?

It implies that you have specific preferences and are seeking something that meets those ideal criteria, but are open to considering options that may not perfectly align.