look them up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'look them up' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used when asking someone to research something, for example: "I don't know who those actors are - can you please look them up?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I look them up and down.

The New York Times - Style

(Yes, we had to look them up, too).

The New York Times - Sports

Now I'll never know unless I look them up.

The New Yorker

Gregg offered to look them up and get their permission.

The New Yorker

A note: don't go and look them up on Wikipedia.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When principles are at issue, they simply look them up.

The New York Times - Books

I suppose we could look them up, but where's the fun in that?

Princeton University

Don't worry about memorizing these details, plan to look them up on as-needed basis.

Stanford University

If you aren't sure on formatting rules, look them up online!

University of California, Berkeley

"If you can just look them up and send them to me, we'll be all set".

The New Yorker

Look them up in PubMed.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look them up", specify where to look if it's not obvious. For example, "Look them up online" or "Look them up in the database".

Common error

Avoid using "look them up" when you should use a reflexive pronoun. For instance, instead of saying "They need to look them up to improve", say "They need to look it up to improve", if referring to a singular noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look them up" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, where "them" is the object. It directs the listener to perform a search to gather information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look them up" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that instructs someone to find information about a person or thing, often through online research. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in various contexts, spanning from news and media to academic writing and informal conversations. Remember to specify where to search for clarity and avoid misusing it with singular nouns, where "look it up" would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "research them" and "investigate them" offer more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

research them

Focuses specifically on finding information through systematic investigation.

search for them

Emphasizes the act of actively seeking them out.

find information on them

Directly states the action of locating details.

investigate them

Implies a more in-depth and thorough examination.

look into them

Suggests exploring a topic or person more closely.

examine them

Emphasizes a careful and detailed inspection.

check them out

A more casual way to suggest examining or learning about something.

consult information about them

Implies checking a reference source.

gather data on them

Focuses on collecting specific facts or figures.

browse information about them

Suggests casual exploration, rather than a deep dive.

FAQs

How can I use "look them up" in a sentence?

You can use "look them up" when you want someone to find information about something or someone, as in, "If you don't know the answer, "look them up" online".

What is a more formal alternative to "look them up"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "research them", "investigate them", or "consult information about them". These alternatives provide a more professional sound than the casual phrase, "look them up".

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

Yes, "look it up" is correct if you are referring to a singular noun. Use "look them up" when referring to plural nouns or a group of people. For example: Look the word up in the dictionary (singular); "Look them up" on social media (plural).

What's the difference between "look them up" and "check them out"?

"Check them out" is a more casual way to suggest examining or learning about someone or something. ""Look them up"" generally means to find information about someone or something, often online. They are interchangeable in some contexts, but not all.