in the market for

USAGE SUMMARY

'in the market for' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone who is actively searching for something that they can purchase. For example, "I'm in the market for a new laptop, so I'm researching the different brands and models available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was in the market for escapism.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Ben's in the market for an engagement ring).

The New Yorker

More than enough room exists in the market for both.

The New York Times - Arts

Were you in the market for another series?

The New York Times - Arts

She's chosen a niche in the market for herself.

Independent

They were in the market for a pied-à-closet.

The New York Times

"There is an open gap in the market for classicism".

The New York Times - Arts

She is now in the market for roommate No. 5.

The New York Times

Are you in the market for private student loans?

The New York Times

As the recession set in, the market for shredding collapsed.

The New York Times

He had been in the market for a regular massage.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the market for" when you want to convey that someone is actively considering purchasing something, but has not necessarily made a decision yet. It suggests a period of searching and evaluating options.

Common error

Don't confuse "in the market for", which describes a buyer's intent, with "on the market", which describes something that is available for sale. For example, say "I'm "in the market for" a new car", not "My car is on the market".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the market for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of actively seeking or considering a purchase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying the object of the search. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the market for" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that someone is actively seeking to purchase something. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from authoritative sources highlights its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general media. While alternatives like "looking to buy" or "interested in purchasing" exist, "in the market for" provides a nuanced way of expressing intent without necessarily implying an immediate purchase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and widely applicable phrase for expressing purchasing intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking to buy

Focuses more directly on the action of buying, whereas "in the market for" can also include just considering a purchase.

interested in purchasing

More explicitly states the interest in making a purchase, emphasizing the desire.

seeking to acquire

Implies a more formal or business-oriented acquisition, often of larger assets or companies.

considering the purchase of

Directly mentions the act of considering, useful when emphasizing deliberation.

shopping around for

Emphasizes the act of comparing different options before making a decision.

exploring options for

Highlights the investigative stage, suggesting a broader search than just buying.

on the lookout for

Suggests a more casual or opportunistic search, often for deals or specific items.

desiring to obtain

Highlights the wish or need to get something, framing the search from a motivational perspective.

aiming to procure

More formal and often used in a business context, suggesting a structured acquisition process.

planning to invest in

Specific to situations where the purchase is seen as an investment, either financial or strategic.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "in the market for" something?

Being "in the market for" something means you are actively looking to buy or acquire it. It implies that you are exploring options and considering making a purchase.

How can I use "in the market for" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your current purchasing interests. For example, "I'm "in the market for" a new smartphone" or "Our company is "in the market for" a new CRM system."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the market for"?

You can use alternatives like "looking to buy", "interested in purchasing", or "seeking to acquire" depending on the context.

Is "in the market for" formal or informal?

"In the market for" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in business, news, and everyday conversations.