searching diligently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "searching diligently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a thorough and careful effort to find something or gather information. Example: "The detective was searching diligently for any clues that could lead to the suspect's whereabouts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Once properly attired, he roamed among the pews and around the organ and altar, searching diligently for termites.

The New York Times

Just one complaint: After searching diligently and long for Al Fontego dei Pescaori, we were told by a local resident that it was closed for the week.

The New York Times

Luckily I'm a member of Metafilter, and so my first recourse was to go to Ask Mefi and put up the question — after searching diligently for dupes, of course.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he figured that if he searched diligently, he could get away without doing either.

The New York Times

As they moved from compound to compound, one eager young Afghan policeman searched diligently.

The New York Times

He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn't find it.

University of California, Berkeley

Worse, Lyubimov suffered the humiliation of always having to submit his production plan to the Soviet censors, who searched diligently for ideological errors.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Unless one searches diligently all one can get are 750ml bottles, which have a real cost of only slightly more than the 500ml bottles, but are charged at a much higher price (thus their prevalence).

The Guardian - Sport

As the profusion of alterations in DNA became more widely recognized, scientists came to appreciate that the identification of any new type of naturally occurring base damage would, if one searched diligently enough, almost certainly lead to the discovery of one or more mechanisms for its repair or tolerance2,18.

Nature

Because of this, it is critical that you search diligently to find the right investor(s) for your company.

Forbes

Continue to search diligently for a better work environment to switch to, and be sure to let others know that you are interested in new opportunities for work.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "searching diligently", consider the audience; while appropriate for formal writing, it may sound overly verbose in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "searching diligently" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "looking hard" or "trying to find" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "searching diligently" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how the action of searching is performed. As noted by Ludwig, it indicates a thorough and careful effort. It enhances the verb by specifying the manner of searching.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "searching diligently" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys a sense of thoroughness and dedicated effort in the act of searching. While versatile, its usage leans towards neutral to formal contexts, making it less common in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "seeking assiduously" or "investigating thoroughly" can be considered for nuanced meaning. When crafting content, be mindful of the audience and context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking assiduously

Replaces "searching" with "seeking" and "diligently" with "assiduously", altering the tone to be more formal and literary.

investigating thoroughly

Shifts the focus from searching to investigating, implying a more structured and detailed examination.

exploring exhaustively

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the search or exploration.

probing meticulously

Implies a very careful and precise examination or search.

scouring carefully

Highlights a detailed and comprehensive search over a wide area.

pursuing earnestly

Changes the focus to pursuing a goal with great dedication, rather than just searching.

researching extensively

Specifically refers to research, suggesting an academic or investigative context.

examining intently

Focuses on the depth of the examination, highlighting focus and concentration.

combing through thoroughly

Evokes the image of carefully and methodically examining something, like combing hair.

inquiring deeply

Shifts the emphasis to asking questions and seeking answers with significant depth.

FAQs

How can I use "searching diligently" in a sentence?

You can use "searching diligently" to describe a thorough and earnest effort to find something, as in, "The detective was "searching diligently" for clues at the crime scene".

What are some alternatives to "searching diligently"?

Alternatives include "seeking assiduously", "investigating thoroughly", or "exploring exhaustively", each emphasizing different aspects of the search.

Is it always appropriate to use "searching diligently"?

While grammatically correct, "searching diligently" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler phrases like "looking carefully" or "trying hard" in informal settings.

What's the difference between "searching diligently" and "searching carefully"?

"Searching carefully" implies attention to detail and avoiding mistakes, while "searching diligently" emphasizes persistence and dedication in the effort. The choice depends on whether the focus is on accuracy or effort.