search for excellence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "search for excellence" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
For example, you could use it in the following sentence: "My parents always encouraged me to strive for excellence and to never give up in my search for excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"But as a national institution we search for excellence," Lennox said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't come from anywhere, man, but I am always on the search for excellence".

The New York Times - Magazine

Governments can also spark innovation through challenges that search for excellence and then help spread it.

The New York Times

In a bull market, readers wanted advice on investment, not on how to re-engineer the search for excellence in the total quality chaos.

The New York Times

Back then, business strategy gurus — authors of books on reengineering the search for excellence in the total quality six-sigma chaos, and all that — dominated the list.

The New York Times

To mark this celebration of sporting excellence, British Airways, the official airline partner of the London 2012 Games, has launched its own search for excellence called Great Britons.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"He's always been searching for excellence," Bennett said.

The Guardian - Sport

Previous examples included "corporate re-engineering" and "searching for excellence".

The Economist

"Searching for excellence week in and week out has been the foundation of their careers.

BBC

"Excellence breeds the search for more excellence," Quinn said.

The New York Times

As she surged forward in a search for academic excellence, acceptance and normalcy, her mother stepped forward beside her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "search for excellence", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific area or field the search is related to for clarity. For example: "Our company's search for excellence in customer service is ongoing."

Common error

Avoid using "search for excellence" in very informal or casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday settings. Consider simpler alternatives in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "search for excellence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It describes an ongoing endeavor or a guiding principle. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "search for excellence" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression signifying a continuous and dedicated effort to achieve high standards and quality. It is most frequently used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate. While alternatives such as "pursuit of excellence" and "striving for excellence" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area or field to which the search pertains. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase in formal and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking excellence

Simple substitution of "search" with "seeking", maintaining a very similar meaning.

pursuit of excellence

Replaces "search" with "pursuit", emphasizing the active chase for high standards.

quest for excellence

Uses "quest" instead of "search", suggesting a more ambitious and challenging journey.

striving for excellence

Focuses on the continuous effort and dedication towards achieving high quality.

aiming for excellence

Highlights the intention and goal of reaching high standards.

hunt for excellence

Replaces "search" with "hunt", suggesting a more intensive and targeted effort.

drive for excellence

Emphasizes the internal motivation and ambition to achieve high standards.

yearning for excellence

Highlights a strong desire and longing for high quality.

endeavor for excellence

Uses "endeavor" emphasizing dedicated effort and conscious planning.

reach for excellence

Focuses on the ambition of obtaining a high goal.

FAQs

How can I use "search for excellence" in a sentence?

You can use "search for excellence" to describe a continuous effort to improve and achieve high standards. For example, "The company's "search for excellence" in product development led to several innovative breakthroughs."

What are some alternatives to "search for excellence"?

You can use alternatives like "pursuit of excellence", "striving for excellence", or "seeking excellence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "search for excellence" formal or informal?

The phrase "search for excellence" leans towards a more formal register. While not strictly inappropriate in informal settings, it is more commonly found in professional, academic, or business contexts.

What is the difference between "search for excellence" and "quest for excellence"?

While similar, "quest for excellence" implies a more challenging and ambitious journey than "search for excellence". "Quest" suggests a dedicated and often difficult pursuit of a specific goal.