searching for confirmation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "searching for confirmation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of seeking validation or assurance about something, often in contexts like decision-making or seeking approval. Example: "In her presentation, she was searching for confirmation from her peers that her ideas were sound and well-received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Substitutes too had stirred, searching for confirmation.

The Guardian - Sport

Elissa Schappell, in Salon, wrote, "I felt sick and off-balance, searching for confirmation, vision blurred with tears".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Malsom told the police that he suspected that Mr. McCoy was wanted in the Columbus shootings but went to a friend's home to search for confirmation on the Internet.

The New York Times

In a statement his mother Sally Evans, 57, who separated from her husband Anthony more than a decade ago, said she heard the news from a journalist – and that her other son, Michael, immediately found himself looking at a picture of Thomas's body when he searched for confirmation of the news on Twitter.

Independent

Additionally, since the pilot study performance for predicting the response to platin-based chemotherapy was not statistically significant, we searched for confirmation on an independent test set.

BMC Cancer

Therefore, it is hypothesized that compared to experts novices and intermediates collect more evidence to come to a diagnosis and tend to search for confirmation of their hypothesis rather than contrasting information.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

For many weeks, after regular working hours, men returned to the site to search for physical confirmation of their worst fears.

The New York Times

Other public databases including Ethanol-Related Gene Resource (ERGR) [ 26], Aldo-Keto Reductase (AKR) Superfamily homepage [ 27] and PeroxiBase [ 22] were subsequently searched for further confirmation and supplementation.

BMC Genomics

Other "irrational" phenomena include confirmation bias (searching for or interpreting information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions), the bandwagon effect (doing things because others do them) and framing problems (when the conclusion reached depends on the way the data are presented).

The Economist

Nothing drains objectivity more than a family member's name in the top left hand corner of the CT scan you search for confirmation, or for the signs of spread and damage.

The Guardian - Books

Start searching for stores.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "searching for confirmation", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information or assurance is being sought. Being precise enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid selectively "searching for confirmation" that only supports pre-existing beliefs. A balanced approach involves considering diverse viewpoints and challenging one's own assumptions to ensure a well-rounded understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "searching for confirmation" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, modified by the preposition "for" and the noun "confirmation". It describes the action of looking for evidence or validation. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "searching for confirmation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of seeking evidence or validation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While alternatives like "seeking validation" or "looking for assurance" exist, "searching for confirmation" specifically emphasizes the active process of seeking support for a pre-existing belief or hypothesis. However, writers should be aware of the potential for confirmation bias and strive for a balanced approach when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking verification

Replaces "confirmation" with a synonym, slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning of seeking proof.

looking for validation

Substitutes "confirmation" with "validation", focusing on seeking approval or support rather than just factual accuracy.

seeking corroboration

Uses a more formal synonym for "confirmation", indicating a search for supporting evidence.

attempting to verify

Shifts the focus to the action of verifying, emphasizing the effort made to confirm something.

trying to substantiate

Highlights the effort to provide evidence or support for a claim, similar to seeking confirmation.

in pursuit of validation

Emphasizes the goal-oriented aspect of seeking confirmation, framing it as a pursuit.

exploring for evidence

Broadens the scope to generally seeking evidence, which could lead to confirmation.

probing for assurance

Focuses on seeking reassurance, which is a form of confirmation regarding one's beliefs or feelings.

questing for proof

Uses more dramatic and literary words for "searching" and "confirmation", implying a determined effort.

ascertaining validity

Replaces "searching" with a more formal "ascertaining", focusing on establishing the truth or correctness.

FAQs

How can I use "searching for confirmation" in a sentence?

You can use "searching for confirmation" to describe the act of looking for evidence or support to validate a belief or hypothesis. For example, "The scientist was /s/searching+for+confirmation for her theory through rigorous experimentation."

What are some alternatives to "searching for confirmation"?

Alternatives include "/s/seeking+validation", "/s/looking+for+assurance", or "/s/seeking+corroboration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "searching for confirmation" or "seeking confirmation"?

Both "searching for confirmation" and "/s/seeking+confirmation" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Searching" implies a more active process of looking.

What does "searching for confirmation" imply about the searcher?

It suggests the searcher has a pre-existing idea or belief and is actively seeking support or validation for it, potentially leading to /s/confirmation+bias if not approached carefully.