looking for is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking for is" is not correct English.
You would need to add a noun or pronoun after "looking for" in order to make it a complete sentence. For example, "I am looking for a new job."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All we're looking for is due process".

The New Yorker

What you're looking for is its fragments.

Cornell University

"But what we're looking for is underwater.

The Guardian - Travel

What we are looking for is equality".

The Guardian

What they're looking for is here.

The New York Times - Travel

What they're looking for is empathy.

The Guardian - Money

"But what they're looking for is very different.

The New York Times - Magazine

And what I'm looking for is some reference to customers.

The New York Times

Because what I'm really looking for is honesty.

The New York Times

And so part of what I'm looking for is chemistry.

The New York Times

Another thing I am always looking for is humility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the incomplete phrase with a more grammatically sound alternative such as "searching for".

Common error

Avoid using "looking for is" without specifying what you are actually looking for. This creates an unfinished thought and confuses the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for is" functions as an incomplete verb phrase. Ludwig AI points out that it requires a noun or pronoun to complete its meaning, making it grammatically incorrect on its own. The examples show its usage within larger sentences where it's often followed by what is being sought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "looking for is" appears frequently across various sources, including news and academic contexts, it is grammatically incorrect without a completing noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI explains, it needs to specify what is being looked for. Consider using grammatically sound alternatives such as "searching for" or rephrasing your sentence for clarity. While it is frequent, especially in speech, its use should be avoided in formal writing to maintain precision and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

searching for

Directly replaces "looking" with its synonym "searching", maintaining the same meaning and grammatical structure.

in search of

Replaces the verb phrase with a prepositional phrase indicating a quest.

seeking

A more formal synonym for "looking for", appropriate in professional or academic contexts.

trying to find

Emphasizes the effort involved in the search.

on the lookout for

Suggests a state of vigilance while searching.

aiming to discover

Highlights the intention to uncover or reveal something.

desiring to locate

A formal way of expressing the wish to find something.

undertaking a search for

Implies a deliberate and structured effort to find something.

conducting an investigation to find

Suggests a formal and systematic approach to discovery.

exploring possibilities for

Shifts the focus to exploring various options to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "looking for is"?

The phrase "looking for is" is grammatically incomplete. You need to specify what you are looking for by adding a noun or pronoun. For example, "What I am "looking for is" a solution".

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "looking for is"?

Alternatives include "searching for", "in search of", or simply rephrasing the sentence to use a complete verb phrase. For instance, "I am "searching for" clarity".

Is it acceptable to use "looking for is" in formal writing?

No, "looking for is" is grammatically incorrect and unsuitable for formal writing. Use more precise and complete phrases like "what I am "seeking is"" or "what is "being sought is"".

How does the context affect the choice of words when replacing "looking for is"?

The context dictates the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Searching for" is generally suitable for most contexts, while "in pursuit of" may be more appropriate for formal or literary settings. Consider "aiming to discover" when the purpose is to uncover something not yet known.