ongoing search

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ongoing search' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it refer to a continuous effort to find or achieve something. For example: The researchers are engaged in an ongoing search for a cure for the disease.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the music reflected that ongoing search.

The New Yorker

The result was an ongoing search for a better pavement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her career was an ongoing search for the right part, the right direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

My ongoing search for prisons did not sit well with either of them.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, April 24 , 1995P. 78 REPORT FROM VIETNAM about the ongoing search for MIA/POW remains.

The New Yorker

Throughout Bradwell's tenure there was an ongoing search for a permanent home for the company in Hull.

The Guardian

The result has been an ongoing search among mental health experts for a reliable test for depression.

The New York Times

It is proof of both the efficacy of classroom RE and the ongoing search for meaning among young people.

The Guardian

The academics were discussing Leslie Shakespere, a potential candidate in their ongoing search for a new director of the Foundation.

The New Yorker

Superintendent Ian John said he could not rule out the ongoing search for April would extend into 2013.

Independent

Matheson's pacey fantasy charts its protagonist's solitary war against Earth's new inhabitants and his yearning, ongoing search for a fellow survivor.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing search" to emphasize that a search is currently active and has been in progress for some time. This is suitable when the duration and continued effort are relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing search" when referring to a search that has just begun or is expected to be very short-lived. "Current search" might be a more appropriate term in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing search" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "search". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with numerous examples showcasing its role in describing continuous search efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ongoing search" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, used to describe a continuous and currently active search effort. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", its usage spans from formal to informal registers. When using the phrase, emphasize the duration and continuity of the search; in situations where the search has just started, consider using alternatives such as "active search" or "current search". The phrase's frequent occurrence across authoritative sources underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuous search

A more direct synonym emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the search.

continuing search

Replaces "ongoing" with its direct synonym "continuing", slightly altering the emphasis on the duration.

active search

Emphasizes the present state of the search, implying that it's currently in progress.

current search

Focuses on the present time frame of the search, highlighting its immediacy rather than its duration.

persistent search

Highlights the determination and refusal to give up in the search effort.

unending search

Emphasizes the lack of a foreseeable end to the search, adding a sense of potential lengthiness.

incessant search

Implies a relentless and non-stopping nature to the search.

ceaseless search

Similar to "incessant search", it emphasizes the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the search.

perpetual search

Suggests that the search is virtually permanent or constantly recurring, adding a sense of timelessness.

sustained search

Highlights the effort and resources being continuously put into the search.

FAQs

How can I use "ongoing search" in a sentence?

You can use "ongoing search" to describe a continuous effort to find something. For example: "The police have an "active investigation" and an "ongoing search" for the missing person."

What is a good alternative to "ongoing search"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "continuing search", "current search", or "sustained search".

Is it correct to say "an ongoing search operation"?

Yes, "ongoing search operation" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a continuing effort to find or rescue someone or something.

What's the difference between "ongoing search" and "active search"?

"Ongoing search" emphasizes the duration and continuity of the search, while "active search" simply highlights that the search is currently in progress, without necessarily implying a long duration.