notionally looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notionally looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a theoretical or conceptual search for something, rather than a practical or literal one. Example: "The team is notionally looking for innovative solutions to improve efficiency, even if they are not yet feasible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Freddy Rodriguez and Christian Bale are Mike and Jim, buddies since childhood, who incessantly bray their whaddup-dawg gangsta-speak at each other and drive around loaded on weed and beer, notionally looking for work.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bill Clinton and Al Gore were notionally committed to "regime change" in Iraq; Bush was looking for a way to make the Iraq policy more aggressive.

The New Yorker

Who are we looking for?

Acta Astronautica

Look for sustainability.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Look for patterns.

Family Practice

Look for others too.

BMC Public Health

Look for looks.

WikiHow

The women, on the other hand, may be doing superhumanly difficult things, but they are supposed, at least notionally, to look pretty and feminine.

The New York Times

Success in South Waziristan, which Pakistan only notionally administers, would look much more modest than that in Malakand.

The Economist

Sadly, it's a strained and dated screwball farce, crammed with wacky coincidences and self-conscious cameos but not many funny lines, notionally set in present-day New York, but looking as if it could be happening decades before that.

The Guardian - Film

The Giorgio Morandis are knockouts: only notionally about time but definitely time-consuming, because once you start looking at them, you will be disinclined to stop.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notionally looking for" when you want to emphasize that a search is happening in theory or in name only, without necessarily implying a strong intention or practical effort behind it. This is particularly useful when discussing situations where the appearance of searching is more important than the actual search itself.

Common error

Avoid using "notionally looking for" when describing an active and earnest search. The phrase implies a disconnect between the stated purpose and the actual intent, which can weaken your argument if genuine effort is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notionally looking for" functions as a verb phrase, where 'notionally' modifies the action of 'looking'. Ludwig confirms its use to describe a superficial or theoretical search.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notionally looking for" describes a search that exists more in theory than in practice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears in varied contexts, from news articles to scientific papers. While the phrase itself has a neutral tone, it often implies a slight disconnect between the stated goal of searching and the reality of the situation. The phrase is relatively rare, so being mindful of its connotations can help to improve the accuracy and impact of your writing. When writing, be certain to use "notionally looking for" only to describe theoretical or superficial searches, because if you describe a genuine search, your writing will be confusing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

theoretically searching for

Emphasizes the theoretical aspect of the search, implying it's based on abstract reasoning rather than practical considerations.

conceptually seeking

Highlights the conceptual nature of the search, focusing on ideas and frameworks.

ostensibly searching for

Suggests that the search is presented as being for something, but may have other underlying motives or aims.

purportedly seeking

Similar to 'ostensibly', implies doubt about the genuineness of the search.

nominally searching for

Highlights that the search is in name only, without real intent or effort.

formally searching for

Implies that the search is being conducted to fulfill a requirement rather than a genuine desire.

allegedly seeking

Indicates that the search is claimed to be happening, but the claim may be questionable.

putatively searching for

Suggests the search is assumed or reputed to be happening, but without solid proof.

ostensibly in pursuit of

Similar to 'ostensibly seeking', but uses a different prepositional phrase.

theoretically in pursuit of

Mirrors 'theoretically searching for', but uses the 'in pursuit of' construction.

FAQs

How can I use "notionally looking for" in a sentence?

You can use "notionally looking for" to describe a situation where someone is ostensibly searching for something, but their efforts are either insincere or purely theoretical. For example, "The company was "notionally looking for" ways to cut costs, but in reality, they weren't implementing any significant changes."

What's a good alternative to "notionally looking for"?

Alternatives to "notionally looking for" include "theoretically searching for", "ostensibly searching for", or "nominally searching for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone is "notionally looking for" something?

While "notionally looking for" often carries a slightly negative connotation suggesting insincerity or lack of real effort, it can also be used more neutrally to simply indicate that the search is theoretical or conceptual, rather than practically focused.

What's the difference between "notionally looking for" and "actually looking for"?

"Actually looking for" implies a genuine and active search with the intention of finding something. "Notionally looking for" suggests a search that is either superficial, theoretical, or done only to create the appearance of searching without real commitment.