looking for assurance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking for assurance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire for confirmation or support regarding a situation or decision. Example: "In times of uncertainty, many people find themselves looking for assurance from their friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Monitor is looking for "assurance" from the reviews that "the proposed future location of Papworth hospital … will be sustainable, is clinically and financially appropriate, and will provide good value for money for the taxpayer".

The Guardian

A. M. Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, said, "Investors are looking for assurance that the core earnings engine of the company has not been altered or changed".

The New York Times

Roman Polanski is intending to set his next film in Poland, but is first looking for assurance that he won't be extradited to the US to face the child sex charges he fled from in the 1970s.

The Guardian - Film

The PRA wants these to set out "adequate provision" for their British branches and will be looking for assurance about this from their home supervisors.The Bank of England exercises less authority over banks based in the European Economic Area EEAA), which encompasses not just the 28-strong EU but also countries such as Iceland and Norway.

The Economist

People are looking for assurance that things will get better.

Forbes

Investors looking for assurance as to the financial sector's type of strength should look at the chart for the Financial Select Sector SPDR (amex: XLF) exchange-traded fund.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Poland will be looking for assurances that the UK will remain an outward-looking country and as a staunch military ally after leaving the EU, maintaining a prominent role within Nato in helping to defend eastern Europe against Russian aggression.

The Guardian

"But they're looking for assurances nobody can give them.

The New York Times

"We are looking for assurances about how this new tranche of TARP funding will be used," he said.

The New York Times

"China and Japan and South Korea are looking for assurances that there will be additional supplies from the Arabian Gulf producers," said Sadad Ibrahim al-Husseini, former head of exploration and development at Saudi Aramco, the national oil company.

The New York Times

"Investors are looking for assurances that the legal system treats them fairly and acts on their concerns swiftly," Mr. Biden said during a visit to the Skolkovo business school.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking for assurance", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect requires confirmation or guarantee. Be explicit about the source of the desired assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "looking for assurance" without specifying what you need assurance about. For example, instead of saying "The company is looking for assurance", specify "The company is looking for assurance about the project's financial viability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for assurance" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence or clause. It describes the action of actively seeking confirmation or guarantees. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

20%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking for assurance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of seeking confirmation or guarantees to alleviate doubt or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and it carries a neutral tone making it suitable for diverse situations. While relatively uncommon, it is important to use it with clarity, explicitly stating what requires assurance. Related phrases include "seeking confirmation" and "desiring reassurance". Always ensure that the source and subject of the desired assurance are clearly defined to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking confirmation

Focuses on the act of actively seeking confirmation, emphasizing the effort involved.

desiring reassurance

Emphasizes the wish or desire for reassurance.

needing validation

Highlights the requirement for validation or approval.

wanting guarantees

Implies a stronger need for certainty and firm promises.

requesting certainty

Directly asks for a state of being free from doubt.

searching for confidence

Implies a personal quest to find confidence in a decision or situation.

in pursuit of affirmation

Suggests a formal or deliberate seeking of positive affirmation.

hankering for a promise

Uses a more casual tone to imply a deep longing for a promise.

aiming for trust

Highlights the intention to develop trust through seeking reassurance.

checking to be sure

Emphasizes the act of verifying something to eliminate uncertainty.

FAQs

What does "looking for assurance" mean?

The phrase "looking for assurance" means seeking confirmation, guarantees, or reassurance about something, typically to alleviate doubt or concern.

How can I use "looking for assurance" in a sentence?

You can use "looking for assurance" to describe the act of seeking certainty, as in "Investors are "looking for assurance" that their investments are safe."

What can I say instead of "looking for assurance"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking confirmation", "desiring reassurance", or "needing validation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "look for assurance" instead of "looking for assurance"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "looking for assurance" typically implies an ongoing process, while "look for assurance" is more of a general instruction or expectation. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.