look to someone for guidance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look to someone for guidance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the act of seeking advice or support from another person. Example: "In times of uncertainty, many people look to someone for guidance to help them make important decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Would you look to someone for guidance and leadership if they did not truly care about the goals of the group?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His co-defendants nervously look to Mohammed for guidance.

The New Yorker

Brexit minister Prime Minister, we look to you for guidance.

The Guardian

Does he look to anyone for guidance on this matter?

The New Yorker

Other towns will look to residents for guidance.

The New York Times

Fortunately we can look to Scotland for guidance.

The Guardian - Money

Students look to you for guidance and authority.

The Guardian

"Guys look to me for guidance," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

While some people ignore the messages in their dreams, others look to them for guidance.

The New York Times

The movie industry really should look to Steam for guidance.

TechCrunch

World policymakers should indeed look to Keynes for guidance.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look to someone for guidance", ensure the context clearly indicates why that person is considered a source of guidance. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

While acceptable, "look to someone for guidance" can sound slightly informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise verbs like "consult", "seek", or "defer to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look to someone for guidance" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of seeking advice, direction, or support from another person. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts where individuals or groups are seeking leadership or wisdom.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look to someone for guidance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for seeking advice, direction, or support. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, as evidenced by examples from news, wiki, and other general sources. While not overly formal, it's best to consider more precise alternatives like "consult" or "seek" in highly formal writing. The phrase is neutral and suitable for a wide range of situations where individuals or groups depend on others for wisdom and leadership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek guidance from someone

Replaces the verb "look" with "seek", focusing on the act of actively pursuing guidance.

turn to someone for advice

Substitutes "guidance" with "advice" and "look to" with "turn to", emphasizing the advisory aspect.

rely on someone for direction

Uses "rely on" instead of "look to", highlighting dependence, and replaces "guidance" with "direction".

depend on someone for support

Emphasizes the support aspect, changing "guidance" to "support" and "look to" to "depend on".

consult someone for their wisdom

Focuses on the wisdom aspect, changing "guidance" to "wisdom" and using "consult" to suggest a more formal approach.

ask someone for counsel

Replaces "guidance" with the more formal "counsel" and uses "ask" for a direct request.

seek mentorship from someone

Highlights the mentorship aspect, suggesting a longer-term guidance relationship.

take advice from someone

Focuses on receiving and acting upon the advice given, rather than the act of seeking guidance.

follow someone's lead

Implies following someone's example or direction, rather than directly seeking advice.

deference to someone's expertise

Highlights respecting and yielding to someone's specialized knowledge rather than simply asking for guidance.

FAQs

What does it mean to "look to someone for guidance"?

To "look to someone for guidance" means to seek advice, direction, or support from that person, often because they are perceived as knowledgeable, experienced, or trustworthy.

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

You can use alternatives like "seek guidance from someone", "turn to someone for advice", or "rely on someone for direction" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "look to someone for guidance"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase for expressing the act of seeking advice or support.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "look to someone for guidance"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that someone is seeking advice or direction, often from a person they respect or trust. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business writing.