locate him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "locate him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to find or identify the whereabouts of a person, typically in a context where searching or tracking is involved. Example: "We need to locate him before the meeting starts to ensure he is included in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sometimes the guards locate him, usually not.

The New Yorker

They drove from place to place, unable to locate him.

The New York Times

Anyone know people in Beirut able to locate him?

Independent

"It was a department-wide priority to locate him".

The New York Times

"For now, efforts are being made to locate him".

The New York Times

"Security agencies are working to locate him," he said.

The Guardian

Efforts to locate him for comment last night were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Tried in every way to locate him, but impossible.

The New Yorker

Could it locate him the night before at a bar?

The Guardian

Tried to locate him as thought might be about job.

The New Yorker

"Hey!" The man looked up without slowing down but couldn't locate him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "locate him" when the process of finding someone involves careful searching, tracking, or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "locate him" in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "find him" or "see where he is" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "locate him" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It signifies the action of finding someone or determining their whereabouts. Ludwig AI affirms its usability as a correct phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "locate him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies the act of finding or determining someone's whereabouts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, though slightly more formal than simple alternatives like "find him". It appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality required and choose the most appropriate alternative accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find him

A more general term for discovering someone's location. It is less formal than "locate him".

track him down

Implies a more active and persistent search, often used when the person is trying to avoid being found.

find his whereabouts

Focuses specifically on discovering his location, suggesting a more formal or investigative context.

determine his location

A more formal and precise way of saying "locate him", often used in official reports or investigations.

ascertain his position

A highly formal and technical way to describe finding someone's location, often used in military or navigational contexts.

discover his whereabouts

Suggests an element of chance or unexpectedness in finding someone.

get a fix on him

An informal expression suggesting that someone has been observed and tracked, typically electronically or through surveillance.

unearth his location

Implies a long and difficult search, as if uncovering something hidden.

detect his presence

Focuses on sensing or identifying that he is in a particular place, rather than precisely pinpointing his location.

spot him

Implies a quick, often visual, identification of someone's location.

FAQs

What does "locate him" mean?

The phrase "locate him" means to find someone or discover their whereabouts, often through searching or tracking.

How can I use "locate him" in a sentence?

You can use "locate him" in a sentence like this: "The police are trying to locate him after he went missing".

What can I say instead of "locate him"?

You can use alternatives like "find him", "track him down", or "determine his location" depending on the context.

Is "locate him" formal or informal?

"Locate him" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "find him". It's suitable for official reports, news articles, or professional communications.