look for things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look for things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of searching or seeking out various items or information. Example: "When cleaning the attic, I decided to look for things that I could donate to charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I always look for things like that.

The New York Times

"We look for things related to hope.

The Washington Post

I continued to look for things.

The Guardian - Film

In circus, I don't look for things.

The New York Times

I look for things like that in people.

The New York Times

It's prudent to look for things you might have overlooked".

The New York Times

He's coming to look for things that are prohibited.

The Guardian

"People can look for things all day long.

The Guardian - Sport

"Look for things like the Red Tractor mark," she says.

The Guardian

Players always look for things they can get away with.

The New York Times - Sports

You look for things that make it possible".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look for things" to encourage exploration and discovery, implying there are interesting or valuable findings to be made. For example, in travel writing, it suggests readers actively engage with their surroundings.

Common error

While "look for things" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "seek out objects" or "identify key elements" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for things" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "look for" acts as a phrasal verb indicating the action of searching or seeking, and "things" serves as the direct object, representing the items being searched for. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look for things" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the act of searching or seeking items. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability. While it's suitable for many contexts, from everyday conversation to news articles, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business writing. The phrase is most frequently found in Wiki, News & Media and Science sources. When using "look for things", ensure it aligns with the desired tone and formality of your writing, and consider more precise synonyms like "search for items" or "seek out objects" when greater precision is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search for items

Replaces "look" with "search" and "things" with "items", emphasizing a more deliberate and focused search.

seek out objects

Uses "seek out" instead of "look for", suggesting a more intentional and active pursuit of "objects".

try to find items

Adds "try to" indicating an attempt to locate "items".

attempt to locate objects

Uses more formal synonyms "attempt to" and "locate" for "try to" and "find".

be on the lookout for items

Introduces the idiom "be on the lookout", implying vigilance in finding "items".

keep an eye out for things

Uses the idiom "keep an eye out", suggesting a casual search for "things".

scout for items

Replaces "look for" with "scout for", implying a more active and strategic search for "items".

hunt for objects

Uses "hunt" which implies searching for something as if it was a prey.

rummage through things

This suggests a more disorganized and thorough search, often involving physical digging.

browse items

This implies a casual search through a collection, often without a specific target.

FAQs

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

You can use "look for things" in various contexts, such as: "When cleaning, I decided to look for things to donate" or "During the investigation, detectives will look for things that might be evidence."

What are some alternatives to "look for things"?

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

Is "look for things" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "look for things" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "identify key elements" or "examine relevant factors" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "look for things" and "search for things"?

"Look for things" is a more general and casual phrase, while "search for things" implies a more focused and deliberate effort to find something. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.