search for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "search for him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing the idea that you want to actively look for someone in order to find them. For example, "The police searched for him for months but still could not find him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

God tells us in scripture that he will reveal Himself to us if we search for Him.

WikiHow

Should I search for him?

The Washington Post

The army launched a search for him.

The Guardian

He didn't intend to search for him.

The Washington Post

So far, its search for him has been unavailing.

The New York Times - Sports

The search for him, once hopeful, was turning desperate.

The New York Times - Sports

They said a search for him had begun.

The New York Times

I search for him constantly but can't find him anywhere.

The New Yorker

His family has made repeated efforts to keep the search for him alive.

The New York Times

The police and other agencies conducted a full-fledged air, water and land search for him.

The New York Times

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, his sister started a frantic search for him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "search for him" when you want to emphasize the active process of looking for someone, especially when the search might be difficult or involve multiple steps.

Common error

Avoid using "search for him" in contexts where a more abstract or metaphorical search is intended. For example, instead of "He searched for him in his memories", consider using "He delved into his memories" or "He explored his memories."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "search for him" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "search" is the verb and "for him" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the object of the search. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "search for him" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the action of actively trying to locate someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is standard English. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts like wiki entries. When using this phrase, emphasize the active process of looking, but avoid using it metaphorically when more precise language might be appropriate. Alternatives include "look for him" or "try to find him", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for him

Slightly more general; implies a less intensive search.

try to find him

Expresses the attempt to locate someone.

locate him

Focuses on the act of finding his location.

track him down

Focuses on the successful completion of the search.

find him

More direct and less focused on the process of searching.

seek him

More formal and literary; suggests a deeper quest.

hunt for him

Implies a more aggressive and determined search.

be on the lookout for him

Implies watching and waiting, rather than actively seeking.

go after him

Suggests pursuit, often with a specific purpose.

investigate his whereabouts

More formal and implies an official inquiry.

FAQs

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

You can use "search for him" when you want to express the idea of actively trying to locate someone. For example: "The police launched a search for him after he went missing."

What are some alternatives to "search for him"?

You can use alternatives like "look for him", "seek him", or "try to find him" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "search for him" or "search him"?

"Search for him" is the more common and grammatically correct phrase when referring to the act of trying to find someone. "Search him" implies physically searching the person, like a police officer searching a suspect.

What is the difference between "search for him" and "hunt for him"?

"Search for him" is a general term for looking for someone. "Hunt for him" implies a more aggressive, determined, and possibly dangerous pursuit.