look for work

USAGE SUMMARY

"look for work" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to actively search for employment or job opportunities. Example: After graduating from college, Sarah spent months looking for work in her field before she finally landed her dream job at a marketing agency.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did you look for work?

The New Yorker

Mr. Mendez continues to look for work.

The New York Times

"I did look for work.

The Guardian - Money

I had to look for work.

The Guardian

People have left to look for work.

The New York Times

"It was pointless to look for work.

The New York Times

But what happens when these people look for work?

The Economist

"Other fellas look for work, they carry their fixins.

The New Yorker

I didn't have the skills to look for work".

The New York Times

What happens when these people look for work?

The Economist

Surely it's a perfect time to look for work?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a resume or cover letter, use action verbs to describe your experience and skills to showcase your abilities when you "look for work".

Common error

Avoid using "looking for work" as a static status on your LinkedIn profile. Instead, actively engage with your network, participate in relevant groups, and personalize your job applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look for work" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of seeking employment. It describes the process of actively searching for job opportunities. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a primary action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look for work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of seeking employment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's common across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki sources. While generally appropriate, it's important to consider the register; more formal alternatives such as "seek employment" may be preferable in professional settings. To enhance your writing, focus on using action verbs in your resume and actively engage with your professional network. Remember, avoid using "looking for work" as a static status. By mastering these nuances, you can effectively communicate your job-seeking efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek employment

Formal alternative focusing on the act of seeking employment.

search for a job

Replaces "work" with the more specific term "job".

hunt for a job

Implies a more active and vigorous search for employment.

find a position

Focuses on finding a specific role or position within a company.

explore job opportunities

Highlights the exploration of different potential job openings.

pursue career options

Broadens the scope to include different career paths and possibilities.

canvass for openings

Involves actively soliciting information about job openings.

make job applications

Emphasizes the act of formally applying for jobs.

try to get a job

Simple and direct alternative expressing the intention to obtain employment.

fish for work

Suggests a less direct approach to finding employment, perhaps by networking.

FAQs

How to use "look for work" in a sentence?

You can use "look for work" in a sentence to describe the act of seeking employment, such as: "After being laid off, he had to "look for work" in a different industry".

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

You can use alternatives like "seek employment", "search for a job", or "find a position" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "look for work" or "looking for work"?

Both "look for work" and "looking for work" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Look for work" is an infinitive phrase, while "looking for work" is a gerund phrase. For example, "He needs to "look for work"", vs. "He is "looking for work"".

Is it appropriate to use "look for work" in a formal context?

Yes, "look for work" is generally appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, you might choose a synonym like "seek employment" for a more professional tone.