looking to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking to change" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to make a change in a situation, behavior, or condition. Example: "I am looking to change my career path and explore new opportunities in the tech industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But I'm not looking to change clubs.

The New York Times - Sports

So we'll be looking to change that".

The Guardian - Sport

We were looking to change about eight players, but now we're looking to change about 16".

The New York Times - Sports

Chomet admits he's been looking to change all this.

Independent

But at Facebook we're looking to change that.

The New Yorker

But many elements of the Republican Party are eagerly looking to change the law.

The New York Times

Jane Mendle, associate professor of human development, and colleagues are looking to change that.

Cornell University

Other journal editors feel even more strongly that their audience is not looking to change.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We look to change that".

Independent

Hollywood looks to change its seasonal release strategy.

The New Yorker

"He will look to change the play, anticipate the blitz or a coverage blitz".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking to change", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being changed and the reason for the change to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "looking to change" without specifying the subject of the change. For example, instead of saying "We are looking to change," specify "We are looking to change our marketing strategy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking to change" functions as a gerund phrase acting as an adjective, describing a state of intent or desire for transformation. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it commonly modifies nouns or pronouns, indicating someone or something is in the process of considering or planning a change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Tech

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking to change" is a very common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express an intention or desire for transformation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent usage across news, technology, and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the object of change. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, alternatives such as "seeking to modify" or "intending to adjust" offer a more formal tone for professional writing. Remember to avoid vagueness and always provide context to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming to alter

Emphasizes a specific goal-oriented approach toward making a change.

seeking to modify

Implies a more formal or deliberate attempt to make adjustments.

intending to adjust

Focuses on the plan or intention behind making a change.

planning to revise

Suggests a comprehensive review and subsequent alteration.

desiring to transform

Conveys a strong wish to completely change something.

wanting to convert

Implies a change from one form or system to another.

wishing to amend

Indicates a desire to correct or improve something, often slightly.

hoping to reshape

Focuses on altering the form or structure of something.

trying to reform

Suggests an effort to improve by removing faults or abuses.

proposing to vary

Highlights the act of suggesting a change or deviation.

FAQs

How can I use "looking to change" in a sentence?

Use "looking to change" to express an intention or desire to modify something. For example, "I am "looking to change" my career path" or "The company is "looking to change" its policies."

What's a more formal way to say "looking to change"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "seeking to modify" or "intending to adjust". These alternatives provide a more professional feel in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "looking to change" in a job interview?

In a job interview, you might say "I am "aiming to alter" my career trajectory" or "I am "wanting to convert" my skills into this new role" to sound more proactive and focused.

Is it always necessary to specify what you're "looking to change"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the object of change is often crucial for clarity. Without it, the statement can be vague and leave the audience wondering about the intended scope of the change.