look for someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look for someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are searching for a specific person or trying to find someone in a particular context. Example: "I need to look for someone who can help me with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'd look for someone young.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am here to look for someone.

The New York Times

If you are lost, look for someone in a uniform.

The New York Times

"You always look for someone to protect you," she says.

The Guardian

"I wouldn't look for someone on Craigslist," she said.

The New York Times

"Look for someone who can act as a business partner.

The Guardian

Having a blame culture, where people just look for someone to blame, does not help.

The Guardian

They look for someone walking home from the synagogue and they lay into them.

The New York Times

Why do we look for someone to divine the future for us?

The New York Times

It is natural for voters and politicians to look for someone to blame.

The Economist

He told them to look for someone between forty and fifty, and Metesky was over fifty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look for someone", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing. For instance, "seek an individual" might be more appropriate in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "look for someone" in passive constructions where the subject is unclear or awkward. Instead of saying "Someone is looked for by the team", it's better to say "The team is looking for someone".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for someone" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of seeking or searching for a person. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples showcasing its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look for someone" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used verb phrase that expresses the act of searching for a person. As Ludwig AI confirms, its applications are diverse, spanning from formal business settings to casual conversations. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki content, reflecting its broad applicability and neutral tone. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider more formal alternatives like "seek an individual" if appropriate. Avoid passive constructions that obscure the subject of the search.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for a person

Direct synonym, replacing 'someone' with 'a person' for clarity.

try to find somebody

Informal and emphasizes the attempt to locate someone.

be on the lookout for someone

Implies vigilance and anticipation in finding someone.

seek an individual

Formal alternative, implying a more deliberate and purposeful search.

attempt to locate an individual

Formal alternative, highlighting the effort to find someone.

track down a person

Suggests a focused and determined search to find someone who may be difficult to locate.

hunt for a person

Suggests a more intense and determined search.

pursue an individual

Implies following someone with a specific goal or intention.

scout for an individual

Suggests a careful and strategic search, often in a professional context.

dig for a person

Informal and suggests a persistent search, often uncovering hidden information.

FAQs

What does "look for someone" mean?

The phrase "look for someone" means to search or try to find a specific person. It implies an active effort to locate or discover an individual.

What can I say instead of "look for someone"?

You can use alternatives like "search for a person", "seek an individual", or "try to find somebody" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looking for someone"?

Yes, "looking for someone" is the present continuous form of "look for someone" and is perfectly correct. It indicates that the search is currently in progress.

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

You can use "look for someone" in various sentence structures. For example, "I need to look for someone to help me with this task", or "We are looking for someone with experience in marketing".