look for it

USAGE SUMMARY

"look for it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to search or seek for something. Example: "I couldn't find my phone, so I had to look for it in every room of the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Look for it @nytimeswordplay.

The New York Times

So look for it.

The New York Times - Arts

Please look for it.

The New Yorker

Look for it next spring.

The New Yorker

Look for it.

The Washington Post

Do look for it.

The Guardian - Books

"We look for it.

The Guardian

"I look for it.

The New Yorker

Look for it on-line.

University of California, Berkeley

Look for it starting in September.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We look for it--literally.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look for it" when you want to encourage someone to actively search for something, whether it's a physical object, information, or an opportunity. Make sure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "look for it" without a clear antecedent for "it". If the object of the search is unclear, rephrase to specify what should be looked for. For example, instead of saying "Look for it!", specify "Look for the keys!"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for it" primarily functions as an imperative construction, urging or directing someone to perform the action of searching. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it serves this purpose, emphasizing the command to seek something out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look for it" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to instruct or encourage someone to search for something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. To enhance clarity, ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear antecedent, and consider more formal alternatives like "endeavor to find it" in professional settings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "look for it" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for it

Replaces "look" with the synonym "search", maintaining the core meaning.

seek it out

Uses "seek out" as a more emphatic way of saying "look for".

try to find it

Adds the element of effort or attempt to the search.

be on the lookout for it

Implies a state of alertness while searching.

hunt for it

Suggests a more intensive and focused search.

keep an eye out for it

Suggests watching carefully in order to find something.

make an effort to locate it

Highlights the intentional and deliberate nature of the search.

investigate it

Implies a more thorough and systematic search or inquiry.

check for it

Suggests a quick and simple search.

scout for it

Suggests searching an area or location for something.

FAQs

How can I use "look for it" in a sentence?

You can use "look for it" to encourage someone to search for something. For example, "The information is available online; just look for it."

What's a more formal way to say "look for it"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases such as "endeavor to find it" or "attempt to locate it".

Is it correct to say "look for them" instead of "look for it"?

Yes, if you are searching for multiple items, it's appropriate to say "look for them". The pronoun should agree in number with what you are searching for.

What can I say instead of "look for it" to suggest a more thorough search?

To suggest a more thorough search, you could use alternatives such as "search extensively for it" or "investigate it thoroughly".