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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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well looking for

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well looking for" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a misconstruction and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I am well looking for a new job opportunity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet the game has won plenty of people over to its charms, as you plunge down a well looking for treasure.

After finding that one resident dean had sent the e-mail to two students who were accused, the administrators then searched that resident dean's personal account as well, looking for signs of communication with journalists.

News & Media

The New York Times

Dixon says a16z is actively investing in drone tech as well, looking for the next level of technology to be built on top of Airware's operating platform.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Senate Republican leader Robert Huff (R- San Dimas) criticized Democrats for considering such moves, saying that even though the state has a surplus, "they are back to the tax well looking for more money".  .

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Might as well look for the moon at midday".

News & Media

The New Yorker

But if Sharapova serves well, look for her to hit a lot of first-strike winners.

News & Media

The New York Times

Baltimore might just as well look for a football connection to the Ravens and Poe.

Beveridge, if his report is anything to go by, might well look for a national insurance, or social insurance, solution.

News & Media

The Guardian

Translation: If all goes well, look for an initial public offering of Panoramic stock by 2004 to 2006.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I decided that since New York is his home now, we might as well look for someplace more permanent for him," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Results have not gone well for the caretaker managers Mick Mills and Jim Barron, so the club may well look for another outsider.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey an active search, replace "well looking for" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "actively searching for" or "in search of". This improves clarity and professionalism in writing.

Common error

Avoid placing "well" directly before a present participle like "looking". "Well" typically modifies verbs or adjectives. Instead, use "actively" or "diligently" to modify "looking" or rephrase the sentence for grammatical correctness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well looking for" is an incorrect attempt to describe the action of searching. The word "well" is misused as an adverb modifying the participle "looking." As Ludwig indicates, it's a misconstruction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well looking for" is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, this misconstruction doesn't convey a clear meaning. While examples exist, their scarcity indicates infrequent and non-standard usage. Replacing it with phrases like "actively searching for" or "in search of" is advisable for clarity and correctness. It's not suitable for formal writing or professional communication.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "well looking for" that are grammatically correct?

Instead of "well looking for", you can use phrases like "actively searching for", "diligently seeking", or "in search of" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Is "well looking for" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, "well looking for" is not considered grammatically correct. The adverb "well" doesn't typically modify a present participle like "looking". More appropriate constructions involve using alternatives that adhere to standard English grammar.

How can I use "looking for" correctly in a sentence?

Use "looking for" with a helping verb like "am", "is", "are", "was", or "were" to form a continuous tense. For example, "I am "looking for" a new job" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "well looking for" and "actively looking for"?

"Well looking for" is grammatically incorrect. "Actively "looking for"" is the correct form, indicating that someone is making a concentrated effort to find something. The word "actively" properly modifies the action of searching.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: