looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'looking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective, adverb, or verb. Example sentence: I am looking forward to our vacation this summer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A body's function is far more intricate and important than looking 'beach ready', so in fact it is Protein World who have confused their priorities, if anyone".

The Guardian

Every VMA performance, that's what you're looking for; you're wanting to make history".

The Guardian - Music

This is an essential seminar for managers and leaders looking for a practical definition of big society and how it will work within local government.

The Guardian

Related: Could Scott Walker be the elusive 2016 contender Republicans are looking for?

The Guardian

"I couldn't get my head around why someone would go to the effort of looking someone up, and then sending them a nasty tweet.

The Guardian - Tech

But, as a private company – just like a comedian mulling over a rape joke, or a troll looking for a target for his anger – it could choose not to.

The Guardian

City authorities are conducting a criminal inquiry and the US department of justice is looking into potential civil rights charges.

The Guardian

I think we should be promoting marriage rather than looking at any other way of weakening it".

The Guardian

I'm already looking forward to getting the 2015-16 season underway".

The Guardian - Sport

The political rhetoric over immigration will further intensify on Monday as David Cameron promises to ban all EU nationals from claiming most benefits after six months in the UK unless they can prove they have been continuously looking for work over that period.

The Guardian

As usual, I'll also be covering all the breaking political news as well as looking at the papers and bringing you the best politics from the web.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking" in the context of searching, specify what you are searching for to provide clarity. For example, instead of saying "I'm looking," say "I'm looking for my keys."

Common error

Avoid using "looking" as a direct substitute for "seeing" when referring to a general state of vision. "Looking" implies a deliberate act of directing one's gaze, while "seeing" refers to the ability to perceive with the eyes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "looking" is as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "I am looking") or as an adjective (e.g., "a looking glass"). Ludwig confirms this usage, showing its versatility in different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking" primarily functions as a present participle, serving to describe the action of directing one's gaze or searching for something. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to travel and sports, indicating a neutral formality level. As Ludwig AI points out, "looking" is grammatically sound and highly versatile. To enhance clarity, always specify the object of the search, and be mindful of not substituting "looking" for "seeing" when referring to the general state of vision. By considering these aspects, you can effectively incorporate "looking" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searching

Emphasizes the act of trying to find something.

gazing

Focuses on the act of steadily directing one's eyes towards something.

seeking

Suggests a more proactive and intentional search.

observing

Highlights the act of watching attentively to gain information.

peering

Implies a close or intent look, often when visibility is poor.

inspecting

Implies a detailed examination of something.

examining

Similar to inspecting, but can also refer to abstract concepts.

reviewing

Suggests a formal or official inspection.

checking

Implies verifying something's condition or accuracy.

scanning

Refers to quickly glancing over something.

FAQs

How can I use "looking" in a sentence?

"Looking" can be used in various contexts. For instance, "I am looking for my glasses", or "She is looking at the painting".

What's a formal alternative to saying "I'm looking into it"?

In a formal setting, you might say "I am "investigating it"" or "I am "examining the matter"".

What can I say instead of "looking forward to"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to", "anticipating", or "excited about depending on the context".

What's the difference between "looking at" and "seeing"?

"Looking at" implies a deliberate act of directing your eyes, while "seeing" refers to the general act of perceiving something with your eyes.