looking up for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking up for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase is "looking up" or "looking for." Example: "I am looking up the information I need for my research."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Things are certainly looking up for Camden.

The Economist

But things are looking up for Mali.

The New York Times - Sports

Things were looking up for almost everyone.

The New York Times

Things are looking up for BP.

The New York Times

* * * Things were looking up for Arjun.

The Guardian

Are things looking up for the independents?

The New York Times - Books

Things were looking up for her.

The New York Times

Still, somebody thinks things are looking up for housing.

The New York Times

But things are looking up for coffee's least respected fans.

The New York Times - Food

THINGS are looking up for King Birendra of Nepal.

The Economist

Things are certainly looking up for America's property barons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "looking up for" in formal writing. Instead, opt for "looking up" or "looking for", depending on your intended meaning.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly add "for" after "looking up" when it's not needed. "Looking up" already implies searching for information, while "looking for" means searching to find something. Adding "for" after "looking up" creates an ungrammatical phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking up for" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct forms are "looking up" or "looking for", depending on the intended meaning. The examples show inconsistent usage where a grammatically correct alternative should be used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "looking up for" appears frequently across various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the correct alternatives are "looking up" (for information) or "looking for" (to find something). The prevalence of this incorrect usage, especially in news and media, highlights a common writing error. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it is best to avoid "looking up for" and opt for the appropriate alternative based on the intended meaning. Always prefer ""looking up"" when you are consulting a reference or "looking for" when you are seeking something lost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking for

A more grammatically sound alternative emphasizing the act of actively seeking something.

searching for

Focuses on the act of actively seeking something.

seeking out

Emphasizes a deliberate and intentional search.

prospects are brightening

Highlights the increasingly positive outlook.

things are improving

Shifts the focus to the idea of a situation getting better.

turning around

Highlights a change from negative to positive.

getting better

A more generic phrase that things are getting better

improving

Shorter alternative to "things are improving".

becoming more promising

Highlights that things are turning more promising.

conditions are favorable

Shifts the focus to the conditions.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "looking up" in a sentence?

When you're "looking up" something, you are consulting a reference source to find information. For example, "I'm "looking up" the definition of 'ubiquitous' in the dictionary".

Is it ever correct to say "looking up for"?

No, the phrase "looking up for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct phrases are "looking up" (to find information) or "looking for" (to seek something). Using "looking up for" creates an ungrammatical construction.

What can I say instead of "things are looking up"?

You can use alternatives like "things are improving", "the situation is getting better", or "prospects are brightening" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "looking up" and "looking for"?

"Looking up" refers to searching for information in a reference source, while "looking for" means trying to find something that is missing or lost. For instance, you "look up" a word in a dictionary, but you "look for" your keys.