they were looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were looking" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The investigators noticed something strange and they were looking for clues to explain the mysterious event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were looking for Morsi.

The New Yorker

They were looking smug.

The Guardian

They were looking hapless and hopeless.

The New York Times

They were looking for excitement, for attention.

Independent

They were looking for stories to tell.

The Guardian

They were looking through my things".

The New York Times

They were looking for a target.

The New Yorker

All they were looking for was snapper".

The New York Times - Travel

"They were looking to create chaos.

The New Yorker

They were looking at Chlo? Web site.

The New York Times

They were looking at doing aluminum products.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were looking" to clearly indicate a group's active search or observation, ensuring the context provides sufficient information about what or whom they were seeking. For example, "They were looking for a new home in the suburbs" provides more context than "They were looking."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the pronoun "they" has a clear and immediate antecedent. For instance, instead of saying "The team arrived, and they were looking tired", specify "The players were looking tired" to remove any doubt about who "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were looking" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress in the past. It is commonly used to describe the act of searching, observing, or directing one's gaze. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were looking" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the action of a group searching, observing, or directing their gaze. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various situations. While direct synonyms like "they sought" and "they were searching" exist, it's crucial to ensure clear pronoun reference for "they" to avoid ambiguity. Utilize this guide to effectively incorporate "they were looking" in your writing, ensuring clarity and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they sought

Replaces "were looking" with a more formal synonym, "sought".

they were searching

Substitutes "looking" with "searching", implying a more active or thorough examination.

they aimed to find

Rephrases the intention behind the looking, emphasizing the goal of finding something.

they were in search of

Emphasizes the act of searching as the primary activity.

they were trying to locate

Focuses on the effort to pinpoint the exact location of something or someone.

they had their eyes on

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate interest or desire for something specific.

they were hoping to discover

Highlights the element of hope or anticipation in their search.

they investigated

Suggests a more formal and systematic examination.

their focus was on

Shifts the emphasis to the object of their attention.

they scouted for

Implies a preliminary search or reconnaissance.

FAQs

How can I use "they were looking" in a sentence?

Use "they were looking" to describe a group of people who were searching or observing something. For example, "They were looking at the stars" or "They were looking for their lost dog".

What's a more formal way to say "they were looking"?

Depending on the context, you could use more formal alternatives such as "they sought" or "they were searching".

Is "they were looking" always used to describe a physical search?

No, "they were looking" can also describe a non-physical search, such as "they were looking for a solution" or "they were looking for inspiration".

What is the difference between "they were looking" and "they looked"?

"They were looking" implies an ongoing action or process of observation or searching, while "they looked" describes a completed action or a state of appearance at a specific point in time.