looked for

USAGE SUMMARY

"looked for" is correct and is used in written English.
You would use it when referring to searching or attempting to find something. For example, "He looked for a solution to the problem but could not find one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We looked for fingerprints".

The New York Times

Everyone looked for "patterns".

The New Yorker

Gioia looked for patterns.

The New Yorker

I looked for clues.

The New Yorker

So I looked for clues.

The New York Times

Ingels looked for new opportunities.

The New Yorker

Her eyes looked for his.

The New Yorker

I looked for healthy sperm.

The New York Times

"We looked for five years".

The New York Times

So Hainey looked for answers.

The New York Times - Books

She looked for the waitress.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looked for", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being searched for to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "looked for a job" instead of simply "looked".

Common error

Avoid using "looked for" when the search was unsuccessful and implying that the object was found. Instead, use "was looking for" or "had been looking for" to indicate the search was ongoing or unfulfilled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked for" functions as the past tense of the verb phrase "look for", indicating a completed action of searching or attempting to find something. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is grammatically correct. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looked for" is the past tense form of "look for", used to describe the act of searching or seeking something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "looked for", ensure clarity about what was being searched for and that the context aligns with a completed action. Common alternatives include "searched for" and "sought out", each with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid implying success if the search was unsuccessful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searched for

Implies a systematic examination to find something, similar to "looked for" but suggests a more thorough approach.

tried to find

Directly expresses the attempt to locate something, closely mirroring the meaning of "looked for" with a slightly different emphasis.

sought out

Suggests a deliberate and often persistent effort to find someone or something, conveying more intent than "looked for".

hunted for

Implies a vigorous and determined search, often suggesting the object is difficult to find or acquire.

scoured for

Indicates a thorough and exhaustive search, leaving no place unexamined.

pursued

Suggests following or chasing after something, often with the intent to capture or obtain it.

explored for

Implies an investigation or examination of an area or topic to discover something.

inquired about

Focuses on asking questions to gather information, suggesting a search for knowledge rather than a physical object.

investigated

Implies a formal or systematic examination of a situation or event to discover the facts.

felt for

Suggests searching by touch, or searching in an abstract sense, such as "felt for the right words to say".

FAQs

How do I use "looked for" in a sentence?

"Looked for" is the past tense of the verb phrase "look for", meaning to search or try to find something. For example, "She "looked for" her keys everywhere".

What can I say instead of "looked for"?

You can use alternatives like "searched for", "sought out", or "tried to find" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have looked for" or "I looked for"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I looked for" is simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past. "I have looked for" is present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present.

What is the difference between "looked for" and "looking for"?

"Looked for" is the past tense, indicating a completed search. "Looking for" is the present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing search. For example, "Yesterday, I "looked for" my glasses" vs. "I am still "looking for" my glasses".