look all over

USAGE SUMMARY

"look all over" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to search thoroughly or extensively for something. Example: "I couldn't find my keys anywhere. I looked all over the house, in the car, and even retraced my steps from yesterday, but they are nowhere to be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

We look all over the globe.

The New York Times

"We're having to look all over for it".

The Guardian

Look all over the pitch and we've got plenty of players who can turn a game.

Independent

"He does look all over the place against the quick bowlers," says Mike Atherton on Sky.

The Guardian - Sport

True, the Tigers were very good, and when they play like this they look all over a top-eight team.

The Guardian - Sport

"You can look all over Japan and you won't find a reporter willing to do these things.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

After organizing everything you should be in top shape and looking good all over!

WikiHow

I was looking all over for you.

The New Yorker

"I was looking all over for it.

The New York Times

"Since I got married I've been looking all over.

Independent

We now have developers looking all over Camden".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look all over", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are searching for and the extent of your search. For example, "I had to look all over the city to find that rare book."

Common error

Avoid using "look all over" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "conduct a thorough search" or "investigate comprehensively" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look all over" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a thorough and extensive search. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with examples illustrating its use in various contexts to describe the act of searching diligently in multiple places.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look all over" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a comprehensive search. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. For formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "conduct a thorough search" or "investigate comprehensively". Remember to clearly specify what you are searching for to make your communication effective. Be careful of overuse, as being too verbose in any case could be perceived as being unnecessarily lengthy. Always use precise language when possible and appropriate for context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search extensively

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the search process.

examine meticulously

Highlights the detailed and careful nature of the examination.

scan thoroughly

Focuses on a quick but complete review of something.

investigate comprehensively

Suggests a formal and detailed inquiry.

check every nook and cranny

Implies a very detailed search, covering all small spaces.

leave no stone unturned

Means to do everything possible to find something or solve a problem.

explore every avenue

Focuses on pursuing all possible paths to find a solution or information.

comb through

Suggests a detailed and orderly search, often through a large amount of material.

survey the entirety of

Implies a broad overview or assessment of something.

give something a once-over

Suggests a quick, superficial examination.

FAQs

What does "look all over" mean?

The phrase "look all over" means to search thoroughly in every possible place to find something.

How can I use "look all over" in a sentence?

You can use "look all over" to describe a comprehensive search, such as, "I had to look all over the house to find my keys."

What are some alternatives to "look all over"?

Alternatives include "search extensively", "examine meticulously", or "investigate comprehensively" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looked all over" or "look all over"?

Both are correct, depending on the tense. "Look all over" is present tense, while "looked all over" is past tense. For example, "I look all over the house every morning" vs. "I looked all over the house yesterday".