madly looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "madly looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an intense or frantic search for something. Example: "After losing her keys, she was madly looking for them in every room of the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I might have appeared irascible as journalists scribbled madly, looking for the sound bite that read like revelation.

The New York Times - Arts

I lived in various houses with various people, but I settled into a relationship with a graceful and encouraging woman who had her finger on the pulse of the day, my wife through all these years and moves and books and children, and I read hungrily, madly, looking for something I couldn't define.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Democrats did not have to go scrambling madly around looking for one last vote.

The New York Times

The contestants board motorboats or water scooters, which race madly up and down the Capim and Guamá Rivers, looking for telltale signs that a pororoca is coming -- an area of calm water, caused by the tug of war between currents, or frightened birds in flight.

The New York Times

Don't hide your true feelings in return -- she's looking for someone to be totally and madly in love with.

WikiHow

Now, 42 years later, working parents of every economic level scramble madly to find quality programs for their preschoolers, while the waiting lines for poor families looking for subsidized programs stretch on into infinity.

The New York Times

DR: When I see something I like, I buy it, but I do not look for it madly.

Forbes

As evening approached and the Capitol was bathed in klieg and moonlight, members madly tweeted about who they would sit with, looked for a last-minute date, and, in at least one case, blew off a suitor.

The New York Times

At a time when the world seems to be madly rushing into yet another mad conflagration, I look for signs of peace anywhere I can find them, I look for stories of peace because there is nothing else I can really do to exorcise the demons of destruction.

The Guardian - Books

"Totally," he cries, leaning forward and looking madly intense.

The Guardian - Music

The way to do this best is when you see someone litter, in a very helpful manner, you point and shout, "Dropped something!" Their immediate reaction is not what they discarded, it's what they think they've lost, so before looking, they begin to madly molest their body, feeling for their precious iPhone, keys and wallet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "madly looking for" when you want to convey a sense of urgency, excitement, or perhaps a touch of desperation in the search. Ensure the context supports the slightly hyperbolic nature of the phrase.

Common error

While "madly looking for" can be effective, overusing it can diminish its impact. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "searching for" or "seeking" when the intensity isn't essential to the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "madly looking for" functions as a compound verb phrase, where "madly" modifies the verb "looking" to intensify the action of searching. Ludwig examples confirm its adverbial role in describing the manner of searching.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "madly looking for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It expresses an intense and frantic search for something. While not overly common, it is more frequently found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "frantically searching for" and "desperately seeking", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "madly looking for", consider the context and ensure that the slightly hyperbolic tone fits the intended message. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frantically searching for

Replaces "madly" with "frantically", emphasizing panic and urgency in the search.

desperately seeking

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the search, highlighting a sense of need.

wildly searching for

Replaces "madly" with "wildly", suggesting a less controlled and more chaotic search.

intensely searching for

Highlights the focus and concentration applied to the search.

eagerly seeking

Indicates enthusiasm and anticipation in the search.

passionately searching for

Highlights the strong emotion and dedication behind the search.

zealously searching for

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and fervor driving the search.

avidly searching for

Shows a strong interest and enthusiasm in finding something.

furiously searching for

Implies anger or frustration fueling the search.

obsessively searching for

Indicates an unhealthy or excessive focus on the search.

FAQs

What does "madly looking for" mean?

The phrase "madly looking for" implies an intense, frantic, or even slightly irrational search for something. It suggests a strong emotional investment in finding what is being sought.

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

You can use alternatives like "frantically searching for", "desperately seeking", or "wildly searching for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "madly looking for" formal or informal?

The phrase leans towards the informal side due to the strong emotional connotation of "madly". It's generally best suited for creative writing, personal narratives, or situations where expressing heightened emotion is appropriate.

How to use "madly looking for" in a sentence?

For example: "After losing her keys, she was "madly looking for" them in every room of the house." or "The team was "madly looking for" a solution to the pressing problem."