in quest of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in quest of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is actively searching or striving for something. For example, "He embarked on a long journey in quest of a better life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Law in Quest of Itself, 1940.

Harvard University

He wasn't in quest of a speed record this time.

The New York Times

I was not traveling in quest of all that.

The New York Times - Books

In quest of an empirical potential for protein structure prediction.

Nature

"We are both in quest of energy security.

The New York Times

Finally, pharmacophore study was also performed in quest of seeing potent drug activity.

Molecular Immunology

Perusing its pricey nutrients last week in quest of some vitalizing herb or… Good morning.

The New Yorker

This is to discourage moving activities abroad in quest of lower taxes.

The Economist

They seemed to be the very culture of the feelings, which I was in quest of".

The New Yorker

In quest of the hottest ticket in town, some people bent their sense of priorities.

The New York Times

He ceased to be in quest of himself, without mastery, in naked unsatisfaction.. . .

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in quest of" to add a touch of formality or literary flair to your writing, especially when describing a significant or challenging search.

Common error

Avoid using "in quest of" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "looking for" or "searching for" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in quest of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate purpose or direction. It specifies the object or goal of a search or journey. Ludwig provides many examples illustrating this use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in quest of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies actively searching or pursuing something. According to Ludwig, its contexts span across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, with a leaning toward more formal writing. While it effectively conveys a sense of purpose and dedicated pursuit, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly pretentious in informal settings. The examples provided by Ludwig underscore its versatility and appropriateness in describing both tangible and intangible goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in search of

More common and slightly less formal than "in quest of".

in pursuit of

Similar to pursuing but slightly more formal.

seeking

A shorter, more direct synonym, implying active searching.

pursuing

Emphasizes the active chase or following of something.

looking for

A very common and informal alternative.

on the hunt for

More emphatic and suggests a dedicated search.

aiming for

Suggests a specific goal or target is being sought.

striving for

Highlights the effort and determination involved in the search.

with the goal of

Focuses on the intended outcome of the search.

on a mission to find

Implies a specific and important objective.

FAQs

How can I use "in quest of" in a sentence?

Use "in quest of" to describe someone actively searching or pursuing something, for example, "The knight journeyed far "in quest of" the Holy Grail".

What are some alternatives to "in quest of"?

You can use phrases like "in search of", "seeking", or "pursuing" as alternatives to "in quest of", depending on the context.

Is "in quest for" a correct alternative to "in quest of"?

No, "in quest for" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "quest" in this context is "of".

What's the difference between "in quest of" and "in search of"?

While both phrases mean searching for something, "in quest of" is generally considered more formal and implies a more significant or challenging search than "in search of".