look unsuccessfully for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look unsuccessfully for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an attempt to find something that ultimately does not succeed. Example: "After hours of searching, I had to admit that I was looking unsuccessfully for my lost keys."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As months passed while he looked unsuccessfully for work, he became depressed.

The New York Times

After looking unsuccessfully for him, Mr. Ganesamoorty sank into a deep depression.

The New York Times

The footage shows Williams digging in his bathrobe pockets, apparently looking, unsuccessfully, for some proof of identity.

The New Yorker

Just around the corner at the Linden branch of the city's Human Resources Administration, Lawanna Warren, 90 days out of prison on a drug sale charge, looked unsuccessfully for work and wished for her previous job cleaning floors at Chelsea Piers.

The New York Times

"I just needed to have some money for the house, for food," said Ms. Fernandez, who has a disabled husband and a 9-year-old son, and who has been looking unsuccessfully for work.

The New York Times

While enjoying a Dirty Detroit (Valentine's bar's signature version of the Dirty Martini), we told the barman, Nick, about our morning spent driving miles and looking unsuccessfully for one of the local food vans we had heard about – Jacques Tacos, only to discover that he usually parks up right round the corner.

The Guardian - Travel

We stared at the ground, looking (unsuccessfully) for meteorites.

Forbes

After looking unsuccessfully for a partner on its Chinese PayPal service, eBay faces significant regulatory problems.

TechCrunch

You've probably had the experience of needing cash and looking unsuccessfully for an ATM affiliated with your bank.

HuffPost

2. ATM fees You've probably had the experience of needing cash and looking unsuccessfully for an ATM affiliated with your bank.

Huffington Post

Ms. Roddy, who moved from Manhattan three years ago, had looked unsuccessfully last year for someone to teach a cooking class at a birthday party she was giving.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look unsuccessfully for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was being sought and why the search failed. This provides a complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "look unsuccessfully for" when a casual glance would have sufficed. This phrase implies a dedicated effort, so reserve it for situations where a more thorough search was conducted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look unsuccessfully for" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of seeking something with a negative outcome. It modifies a verb by adding detail about the manner of the action, indicating that the search did not yield the desired result.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look unsuccessfully for" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a failed attempt to find something. It's registered as neutral and while Ludwig confirms the validity of the phrase, its infrequent usage suggests that alternative phrases might be more common or preferred in certain contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context is appropriate for the intended meaning, and be mindful of the intensity of the search implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search in vain for

Emphasizes the futility of the search, suggesting a lack of any positive outcome.

try unsuccessfully to find

Highlights the attempt to find something, specifically noting the lack of success.

seek without success

Focuses on the act of seeking and underscores the absence of a positive result.

fail to locate

Directly states the inability to find something, suitable in more formal contexts.

be unable to discover

Indicates an unsuccessful attempt to uncover or reveal something.

hunt unsuccessfully for

Implies a more intense or thorough search that ultimately fails.

look fruitlessly for

Highlights the lack of positive results from the search effort.

pursue unsuccessfully

Focuses on the act of chasing or following after something, with a failure to achieve it.

attempt unsuccessfully to acquire

Emphasizes the endeavor to obtain something, specifically noting the lack of attainment.

search to no avail

Conveys that the search was ineffective and did not produce the desired result.

FAQs

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

You can use "look unsuccessfully for" to describe a situation where someone tried to find something but failed. For example: "After hours of searching, I had to admit that I was looking unsuccessfully for my lost keys."

What are some alternatives to "look unsuccessfully for"?

Some alternatives include "search in vain for", "try unsuccessfully to find", or "seek without success". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "look unsuccessfully for" or "search in vain for"?

"Search in vain for" tends to be slightly more formal and literary than "look unsuccessfully for", which is more neutral. The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "look unsuccessfully for" and "try unsuccessfully to find"?

"Look unsuccessfully for" focuses specifically on the act of visually searching, while "try unsuccessfully to find" encompasses a broader range of methods, not just visual searching. For example, you might "try unsuccessfully to find" a solution to a problem, but you wouldn't "look unsuccessfully for" a solution.