look for

USAGE SUMMARY

"look for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you search for something. For example: I need to look for a new charger for my laptop.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Look for more green".

Forbes

Look for patterns.

Family Practice

Look for others too.

BMC Public Health

Look for nasal symptoms.

WikiHow

Look for a house.

WikiHow

Look for shorter plants.

WikiHow

Look for falling grades.

WikiHow

Look for overspeeding cars.

WikiHow

Look for "SSID Broadcast".

WikiHow

Look for the Bounty.

WikiHow

Look for moving objects.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "look for" to indicate a general search. For more formal contexts or to emphasize thoroughness, consider "search for".

Common error

Avoid using "look at" when you mean to search or seek something. "Look at" means to direct your gaze towards something, while "look for" means to try to find something that is not immediately visible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, where "look" is the verb and "for" is a preposition that together create a new meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating it is suitable for expressing the action of searching.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

64%

News & Media

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look for" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to express the act of searching or seeking something. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use in English writing. While predominantly informal, it is suitable for various contexts, with "search for" being a more formal alternative. As demonstrated by examples from Ludwig, it appears frequently in general contexts such as WikiHow and in News & Media, and should be used carefully to not confuse its meaning with "look at".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for

Emphasizes a systematic and thorough examination to find something.

seek

Implies a more earnest or persistent effort to find something, often something abstract.

hunt for

Suggests a more active and determined search, often for something elusive.

try to find

A more general and straightforward way of expressing the act of searching.

be on the lookout for

Indicates a state of vigilance in anticipation of finding something.

scout for

Suggests looking for something specific, often with the purpose of gathering information or resources.

explore for

Indicates searching with the intent of discovery.

track down

Suggests a determined effort to find something that is difficult to locate.

ferret out

Implies uncovering something hidden or secret through diligent searching.

fish for

Suggests trying to obtain something indirectly or subtly.

FAQs

How do I use "look for" in a sentence?

Use "look for" when you want to express the act of searching or seeking something. For example, "I need to look for my keys" or "They are looking for a new house".

What can I say instead of "look for"?

You can use alternatives like "search for", "seek", or "try to find" depending on the context.

Is "looking for" the same as "searching for"?

"Looking for" and "searching for" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "searching for" implies a more deliberate and thorough effort than "looking for".

What's the difference between "look for" and "look at"?

"Look for" means to search or try to find something. "Look at" means to direct your eyes towards something. For example, you "look for" your glasses but you "look at" a picture.