scour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'scour' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to search or examine thoroughly or to clean something by scrubbing it vigorously. Example sentence: They scoured the city for the lost puppy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They scour the world for investments and try to invest on the "efficient frontier", where you can get the perfect ­balance of high returns and low risk.

The Guardian

But they did remind me of a historical footnote from the 1970s when conservation pioneer Sir Peter Scott became involved in efforts to scour the loch for a Nessie-like creature.

The Guardian

If salaries are linked to market rates scour newspaper ads and recruitment agencies to find out what the going rate is, or use the salary check at Workthing.com.

The Guardian - Money

THAT people scour the pages of the world wide web searching for answers to medical problems is well known.

The Economist

Kensho's system is designed to interpret natural-language search queries such as, "What happens to car firms' share prices if oil drops by $5 a barrel?" It will then scour financial reports, company filings, historical market data and the like, and return replies, also in natural language, in seconds.

The Economist

Clubs that once recruited fans and players from their immediate neighbourhoods now scour the continent for talent and are watched in every country.

The Economist

Hospitals are finding it hard to recruit nurses many, like Kingston Hospital, are having to scour the world for suitable staff.

The Economist

If you give Five permission to scour your Facebook feed, it will not only guess the results you would get from a personality test, but will also score your friends, based on the text that appears in your feed, and show which friends you are most similar to.

The Economist

He will then provide them with drugs they need while billing Medicare for costlier ones.Paid recruiters scour nursing homes for accomplices.

The Economist

Chinese car-buyers, armed with smartphones and computers, scour the world to find out what is the best on offer, says Joe Hinrichs, Ford's Asia-Pacific boss.

The Economist

The boom in building hotels for Christian pilgrims has slowed, as hoteliers scour for new land.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scour", consider the context to determine if you're emphasizing a thorough search or an intense cleaning action. Choose synonyms that better reflect your intended meaning for precision.

Common error

Avoid overusing "scour" in highly formal or academic writing. While correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than more specific synonyms like "investigate thoroughly" or "examine meticulously". Vary your vocabulary for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scour" is a verb, indicating an action. It is used to describe either a thorough searching process or a vigorous cleaning process. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "scour" is a versatile verb used to describe both thorough searching and intense cleaning. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans various contexts, being commonly found in news, business, and scientific domains, with a neutral to professional register. When using "scour", consider the specific connotation you want to convey, as synonyms like "search meticulously" or "scrub vigorously" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Be mindful of overusing it in highly formal writing, opting for more sophisticated alternatives when suitable. This summary encapsulates its grammatical function, communicative purpose, formality level, usage patterns, and potential alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search meticulously

Emphasizes careful and detailed searching.

examine thoroughly

Focuses on a comprehensive and detailed examination.

scrub vigorously

Highlights the intensity of cleaning action.

comb every inch

Suggests a complete and detailed search of an area.

clean intensely

Focuses on the high degree of cleanliness achieved.

leave no stone unturned

Implies a comprehensive search, exploring all possibilities.

sweep meticulously

Suggests a detailed and careful sweeping action.

hunt extensively

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the search or pursuit.

investigate exhaustively

Focuses on a complete and thorough investigation.

delve thoroughly

Highlights a deep and comprehensive investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "scour" in a sentence?

You can use "scour" to describe a thorough search, as in "They "scoured the area" for clues", or to describe intense cleaning, as in "She "scoured the pots" and pans".

What can I say instead of "scour" when referring to searching?

Alternatives to "scour" for searching include "search meticulously", "examine thoroughly", or "investigate exhaustively", depending on the level of detail and intensity you want to convey.

When should I use "scour" versus "scrub"?

"Scour" and "scrub" are similar, but "scour" implies a more vigorous cleaning action, often to remove something stuck or stubborn. "Scrub" is a more general term for cleaning with friction. You "scrub the floor", but "scour the grill".

Is it appropriate to use "scour" in formal business writing?

Yes, "scour" is appropriate in formal business writing when describing a thorough search for information or resources. For example, "Our team will "scour the market" for the best investment opportunities." However, consider alternatives like "research" or "investigate" depending on the context.