searching for him

USAGE SUMMARY

"searching for him" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe an action or behavior in which someone is actively looking for another person. Example: She spent hours searching for him in the crowded train station, desperate to find her lost son.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two detectives immediately began searching for him.

The New Yorker

They are still searching for him.

The Guardian

The FBI is searching for him.

The Washington Post

Israel never stopped searching for him.

The New York Times

The police were searching for him Sunday night.

The New York Times

Around midnight, he walked the neighborhood, searching for him.

The New York Times

Mr. Rosenfeld said that the police were searching for him.

The New York Times

The authorities were searching for him last night.

The New York Times

The Kaleda family spent decades searching for him.

The New York Times

The authorities began searching for him after the papers arrived.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He had visited seven hospitals and countless mosques searching for him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "searching for him" when describing an active and ongoing effort to locate a specific male individual. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about the search's purpose and method.

Common error

Avoid using "searching for him" when the gender of the person being searched for is unknown or female. Use "searching for them" or "searching for her" appropriately to maintain accuracy and inclusivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "searching for him" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes an ongoing activity or process. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "searching for him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of looking for a specific male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase's usage spans various contexts, from news reports to personal stories, and carries a neutral tone. It's crucial to ensure the correct gender pronoun is used and consider alternative phrases like "looking for him" or "seeking him" depending on the desired nuance. The prevalence of examples in News & Media highlights its common application in reporting and storytelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking for him

Direct synonym, implying a visual search.

trying to find him

Highlights the attempt to locate someone.

seeking him

More formal synonym for searching.

trying to track him down

Implies using clues or information to locate someone.

in pursuit of him

Emphasizes the act of chasing or following.

on the lookout for him

Suggests a vigilant and watchful search.

hunting for him

Implies a more aggressive or determined search.

scouring for him

Indicates a thorough and widespread search.

making inquiries about him

Focuses on asking questions to find information.

questing for him

Implies a long or adventurous journey in search of someone.

FAQs

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

"Searching for him" is used to describe the act of looking for a specific male person. For example, "The police are still searching for him after he escaped from prison."

What's a more formal way to say "searching for him"?

A more formal alternative to "searching for him" is "seeking him", which implies a dedicated and intentional effort to find someone.

What can I say instead of "searching for him" if the person's gender is unknown?

If the gender is unknown, use gender-neutral language such as "searching for them" or "looking for the person".

Is "searching for him" always about a physical search?

Not always. While it often implies a physical search, "searching for him" can also refer to efforts to find information about him or to contact him. It depends on the context.