looked for help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looked for help" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is seeking assistance or support. Example: "After struggling with the project for hours, she finally looked for help from her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I looked for help.

MIT Technology Review

So Mr. Lowe looked for help closer to home.

The New York Times

About seven years ago, Van Deren looked for help.

The New York Times - Sports

So they looked for help from the people they counted on in Afghanistan: their fellow Marines.

The New York Times

Until his last hours, my son looked for help, but in vain.

The Guardian

Tongue-tied, the director looked for help from a colleague, who blanched and conceded that he did not know the answers, either.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

So we look for help.

The New York Times

Police are looking for help from witnesses.

The New York Times

So they look for help online.

The Economist

So officers look for help elsewhere.

The New Yorker

Where are they looking for help?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific type of assistance, follow "looked for help" with a prepositional phrase, such as "looked for help with funding" or "looked for help from a therapist".

Common error

Avoid using "looked for help" when a more active verb is appropriate. Instead of "The problem looked for help", consider "The problem required a solution" or "The situation demanded attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked for help" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of seeking assistance or support. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves to describe a deliberate attempt to find aid, often in a challenging situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looked for help" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of seeking assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in contexts like news media and academic writing. When using "looked for help", consider the specific type of assistance sought, and remember there are alternative phrases, such as "sought assistance" or "asked for support", to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought assistance

Formal alternative emphasizing a deliberate attempt to find aid.

requested aid

Direct synonym focusing on the act of asking for assistance.

asked for support

Highlights the need for encouragement or backing.

appealed for assistance

Implies a more urgent or formal request for help.

turned to for help

Indicates reliance on a specific person or entity for aid.

reached out for help

Emphasizes the action of contacting someone for assistance.

enlisted help

Suggests actively recruiting or engaging someone to provide aid.

solicited help

Formal term indicating a request for aid or contributions.

tried to find assistance

Focuses on the attempt to locate available help.

pursued assistance

Implies a continued effort to obtain help over time.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "looked for help"?

You can use alternatives like "sought assistance", "requested aid", or "asked for support" depending on the context.

Is "looked for help" grammatically correct?

Yes, "looked for help" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to describe the action of seeking assistance.

How can I use "looked for help" in a sentence?

"Looked for help" can be used in various sentences to describe seeking assistance. For instance, "After struggling with the task, she looked for help from her supervisor" or "The organization looked for help to fund their new project".

What is the difference between "looked for help" and "sought assistance"?

While both phrases mean the same, "looked for help" is more commonly used in everyday language, while "sought assistance" is a more formal alternative.