intense searching

USAGE SUMMARY

"intense searching" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize a searching that is very thorough and almost obsessive. For example, "I conducted an intense searching of every inch of the house but I couldn't find my phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mr. Maron's comedy is made up of riffs rooted in the humor of his intense, searching character.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Rickson, reached by e-mail, declined to discuss the specifics of his backstage relationship with Ms. Parker, writing only: "Mary-Louise is an intense, searching actress.

The New York Times

Former Vice President Dan Quayle, for one, has complained about being rudely subjected to unnecessarily intense searching at airport security.

The New York Times

The discovery of the site followed days of intense searching involving US and Nepalese aircraft and US satellites.

The Guardian

The grim discovery capped two days of intense searching for the boy, Leiby Kletzky, who had disappeared Monday while on what was supposed to be a short walk between a Borough Park school and a meeting place with his parents.

The New York Times

He had no contact with FEMA, and he later found out that FEMA and the N.O.P.D. had unwittingly covered parts of the city in triplicate, delaying by more than a week the intense searching that involved breaking into homes to find survivors.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

That sparked an intense search in shallow coastal waters, to no avail.

The New York Times

The videotape, found last month in Pahrump, Nev., had prompted an intense search for the girl who appeared in it.

The New York Times

IKEA outlets in Utrecht and Duiven were subjected to intense searches after the discovery of suspicious packages.

The New York Times

The intense search is also a testament to the reverence with which Dr. Gray is regarded among computer scientists.

The New York Times - Tech

"We carried out an intense search but we had to stop the search flights after two days because of poor visibility".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intense searching" to describe situations where the search is not just thorough but also driven by urgency or strong determination. For example, "The police conducted an intense searching of the crime scene for clues."

Common error

Avoid using "intense searching" in informal settings where a simpler term like "thorough search" or "careful look" would suffice. The phrase carries a level of formality and seriousness that may be inappropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intense searching" is that of a noun phrase, where "intense" acts as an adjective modifying the gerund "searching". This phrase typically serves as a subject or object within a sentence, describing the action of searching with a high degree of focus and effort. As Ludwig suggests, it emphasizes the thorough nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intense searching" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a thorough and focused search. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and the examples provided demonstrate its application across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. When writing, using alternative phrases like "vigorous searching" or ""extensive search"" can add nuance, but be cautious of overuse in casual contexts. Remember to employ "intense searching" when you'd like to emphasize thoroughness in a search, indicating dedication and a high level of effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong searching

Replaces "intense" with "strong", focusing on the forceful nature of the search.

intense seeking

Substitutes "searching" with "seeking", which conveys a similar meaning of actively looking for something.

strenuous searching

Uses "strenuous" instead of "intense" to highlight the effort involved in the search.

vigorous searching

Employs "vigorous" to emphasize the active and energetic nature of the search.

extensive searching

Replaces "intense" with "extensive", indicating the breadth and scope of the search.

thorough search

Uses the adjective "thorough" before the noun, emphasizing the completeness of the search.

in-depth search

Similar to "thorough search", this phrase implies a deep and comprehensive investigation.

diligent search

Emphasizes the careful and persistent nature of the search with "diligent".

comprehensive investigation

This alternative shifts the focus from simply searching to a more formal and complete investigation.

detailed exploration

Replaces "searching" with "exploration" to indicate a thorough and methodological examination.

FAQs

How can I use "intense searching" in a sentence?

You can use "intense searching" to describe a thorough and focused search effort, such as: "The discovery of the site followed days of "intense searching" involving US and Nepalese aircraft and US satellites."

What phrases are similar to "intense searching"?

Similar phrases include "thorough search", "extensive search", or "vigorous search". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "intense searching"?

Use "intense searching" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and urgency of a search, often in situations where the stakes are high or the search is particularly challenging.

Is "intense searching" the same as "intense search"?

While similar, "intense searching" (gerund) emphasizes the process of searching, while "intense search" (noun) refers to the effort or activity itself. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the activity or its nature.