we looked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we looked for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action of searching or seeking something or someone. Example: "After hours of searching, we looked for any clues that could lead us to the missing artifact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We looked for fingerprints".

The New York Times

"We looked for five years".

The New York Times

We looked for hours.

The Guardian - Books

We looked for birds.

The New York Times - Sports

We looked for a long time.

The New Yorker

First we looked for infection.

The New York Times - Magazine

To find out, we looked for correlations.

Harvard Business Review

We looked for ospreys and eagles.

The Guardian - Travel

Early on we looked for Trump.

The Guardian

"We looked for music that was new.

The Guardian - Film

I'm just saying we looked for a weapon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we looked for" to describe a general act of searching or seeking. It's appropriate for both casual and formal contexts.

Common error

Instead of simply stating "we looked for" something, specify the criteria or methods used in your search to provide more clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we looked for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of searching or seeking something. It's commonly used to describe a deliberate effort to find something, as demonstrated by numerous examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we looked for" is a versatile phrase used to describe the action of searching or seeking. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific research. While interchangeable with alternatives like ""we searched for"", it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify the criteria or methods used during the search.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we searched for

Emphasizes a more thorough and systematic search.

we were searching for

Highlights the ongoing process of searching at a specific time.

we tried to find

Focuses on the attempt to locate something, rather than the act of looking itself.

we sought after

Indicates a desire or ambition in the search, implying the object was highly valued.

we aimed to discover

Suggests an investigative or exploratory purpose in the search.

we were on the lookout for

Indicates vigilance and anticipation in the search, expecting the object to appear.

we hunted for

Implies a more vigorous and persistent search, often for something elusive.

we went in search of

Formal and somewhat literary, emphasizing the purpose and destination of the search.

we investigated

Suggests a systematic or formal inquiry.

we scouted for

Suggests a preliminary search, often to gather information or assess suitability.

FAQs

How can I use "we looked for" in a sentence?

You can use "we looked for" to describe the act of searching or seeking something. For example, "We looked for any signs of damage after the storm."

What's a good alternative to "we looked for"?

Alternatives include "we searched for", "we sought after", or "we tried to find", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "we looked for" or "we searched for"?

"We searched for" and "we looked for" are generally interchangeable. However, ""we searched for"" may sound slightly more formal in some contexts.

What's the difference between "we looked for" and "we were looking for"?

"We looked for" describes a completed action of searching, while "we were looking for" implies an ongoing or continuous action in the past.