search for documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "search for documents" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to looking for documents either online or in physical form. For example, "I need to search for documents related to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Siemens has brought in dozens of investigators and given them free rein to interview employees and search for documents.

The Economist

A search engine powered by Alta Vista enables users to search for documents on federal and state Web sites.

The New York Times - Tech

The Justice Department has conceded on behalf of the Commerce Department that the original search for documents was inadequate.

The New York Times

How do you search for documents, both text and speech, in a language you don't speak or understand?

Columbia University

That made it possible for the intruders to search for documents as well as stage attacks on other computers connected to corporate networks.

The New York Times

Of those who stay, initially only one percent pay for Premium, which offers additional storage and the ability to search for documents, among other things.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The tool "Path Explorer" was used to search for documented molecular interactions based on the Ingenuity® Knowledge Base.

BMC Veterinary Research

However, engineers have difficulties searching for documents because of low retrieval accuracy.

Advanced Engineering Informatics

State libraries and archives to be searched for documents of value to Germany.

Yale University

ADOBE PDF FILES: searchpdf.adobe.com -- Searches for documents that are published in Adobe's portable document format.

The New York Times - Tech

Think about searching for documents that "have the same meaning" of another document, regardless of their language, form, and wording.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For a less formal tone, consider using "look for documents".

Common error

Avoid using "research documents" when you mean to "search for documents". "Research" implies a detailed study of existing documents, while "search for" indicates an attempt to locate them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "search for documents" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "search for documents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It describes the act of locating specific records across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While closely related to "look for documents", it's more precise in formal settings. Remember to distinguish it from "research documents", which signifies an in-depth study. Ludwig's examples show the phrase is common in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for documents

Uses a more common verb, making the phrase slightly less formal.

looking for documents

Presents the phrase in continuous form.

is looking for documents

This is a variation with the verb to be.

searched for documents

Presents the phrase in simple past.

quest for documents

Uses a more formal noun to replace "search", implying a dedicated effort.

search for manuscripts

Specifies the type of documents being sought, narrowing the scope.

search for reports

Specifies the type of documents being sought, narrowing the scope.

search for papers

Specifies a type of document, less formal than "documents" alone.

search for information

Broadens the search target from specific documents to general information.

search of papers

Uses a different prepositional construction.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "search for documents"?

You can use alternatives like "look for documents", "quest for documents", or specify the type of documents you are seeking, such as "search for manuscripts".

How do I use "search for documents" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The investigators will need to meticulously "search for documents" to uncover the evidence."

Is it better to say "search for documents" or "research documents"?

The choice depends on your meaning. "Search for documents" means to locate them, while "research documents" implies a detailed study and analysis of documents you already have.

What is the difference between "search for documents" and "search for information"?

"Search for documents" implies a targeted hunt for specific records, whereas "search for information" is a more general inquiry for any relevant data.