looking to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an intention or desire to obtain or achieve something. Example: "The company is looking to secure a partnership with a leading technology firm to enhance its product offerings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

now they travel to Crew Stadium on Sunday looking to secure their own slot.

The Guardian - Sport

A more confident industry would be looking to secure a fair value exchange.

The Guardian

Tim is now looking to secure a position in a media organisation where I can develop my current skill set.

The Guardian

Mr. Glover acknowledged that he and his associates were still looking to secure the $29 million to start the venture.

The New York Times

Kosovo must cease looking to secure its future by getting close to Washington, as Prime Minister Hashim Thaci appeared to be trying to do last week.

The New York Times

Now the Austrian is looking to secure his place in fashion history as some of his finest pieces go on display in the UK this week.

Independent

The groups are said to be considering bids using about $4.7 billion of equity, and are looking to secure about $11 billion of debt financing, the newspaper reports.

The New York Times

They are looking to secure new oil supplies or gain expertise that would help them explore similar rock formations within their own borders.

The New York Times

It is also looking to secure a deal to take at least 25% of the energy output from BE's existing fleet of stations.

Independent

The other is looking to secure up to £860,000 for a wind turbine near the village of Bere Regis, in the Purbeck district of Dorset.

The Guardian - Money

Unlike Edinburgh, this Fringe isn't yet swarming with the industry's biggest names all looking to secure their annual slice of the pie.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider stronger synonyms like "endeavoring to secure" or "intending to secure" for increased impact.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "looking to secure" too frequently in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "trying to get" or "hoping to find" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking to secure" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses the purpose or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking to secure" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an intention to obtain or achieve something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use. It's prevalent across news, business, and technical contexts, making it versatile for many writing scenarios. While generally neutral in tone, consider stronger synonyms for formal contexts to enhance the impact of your writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific context and choose the most appropriate synonym to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming to secure

Changes the verb "looking" to "aiming", implying a directed effort towards securing something.

seeking to secure

Replaces "looking" with "seeking", suggesting a deliberate search or pursuit of security.

trying to secure

Substitutes "looking" with "trying", indicating an attempt to gain or ensure security.

attempting to secure

Similar to "trying to secure", but with a slightly more formal tone.

intending to secure

Focuses on the intention to secure, rather than the act of looking.

planning to secure

Emphasizes the planning aspect of securing something.

hoping to secure

Indicates a wish or desire to secure, but with less certainty.

desiring to secure

A more formal way of expressing a wish to secure.

working to secure

Focuses on the effort being made to secure something.

endeavoring to secure

A more formal and emphatic version of "trying to secure".

FAQs

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

You can use "looking to secure" to indicate an intention or desire to obtain something, for example: "The company is "looking to secure" a new contract."

What phrases are similar to "looking to secure"?

Alternatives include "aiming to secure", "seeking to secure", or "trying to secure".

Is it appropriate to use "looking to secure" in formal writing?

Yes, "looking to secure" is suitable for formal writing, but consider alternatives like "intending to secure" or "endeavoring to secure" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "looking to secure" and "hoping to secure"?

"Looking to secure" implies a proactive approach, while "hoping to secure" suggests a desire with less certainty or action.