were looked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were looked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was sought after or searched for in the past. Example: "The missing documents were looked for by the entire team for several days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A number of databases were looked for ActA related sequences.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Causes of heterogeneity between studies were looked for.

Mutation Research-Reviews in Mutation Research

Other causes were looked for and found.

Forbes

The effects were looked for over 15 min.

Annals of Intensive Care

The classical toxicodynetics parameters were looked for using the individual medical record available at the PPCC.

Annals of Intensive Care

The phase I consisted of "code identification phase," where the possible codes that could emerge were looked for and identified.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

We were looking for pros.

The New York Times

They were looking for Morsi.

The New Yorker

All they were looking for was snapper".

The New York Times - Travel

They were looking for excitement, for attention.

Independent

They were looking for me.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were looked for" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the search, highlighting the object of the search rather than the searcher. For example, "The missing files were looked for by the team."

Common error

Avoid using "were looked for" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "Mistakes were looked for by the editor", write "The editor looked for mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were looked for" functions as a passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an action where something was the recipient of a search. This is supported by examples where causes, symptoms, and other items are being sought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were looked for" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase commonly used to indicate that something was the object of a search or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. When writing, consider whether the active or passive voice is more appropriate for your intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were searched for

Replaces "looked" with "searched", emphasizing a more thorough and active search.

were sought after

Uses "sought after", suggesting a desire or need for something.

were investigated

Implies a more formal or official inquiry.

were examined

Suggests a careful and detailed inspection.

were inspected

Similar to "examined", but can imply a more regulatory or compliance-focused check.

were scouted for

Suggests searching with the intent to find individuals with specific qualities.

were hunted for

Implies a more aggressive or determined search, as if pursuing prey.

were watched for

Focuses on observing and waiting for something to appear.

were pursued

Emphasizes the active chase or pursuit of something.

were explored

Suggests a thorough and comprehensive investigation to uncover something.

FAQs

How to use "were looked for" in a sentence?

Use "were looked for" to describe something that someone searched or sought in the past. For example, "The causes of the problem "were looked for" diligently".

What can I say instead of "were looked for"?

You can use alternatives like "were searched for", "were sought after", or "were investigated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were looked for" or "was looked for"?

"Were looked for" is used with plural subjects, while "was looked for" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The missing documents "were looked for"" versus "The missing document "was looked for"".

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

"Were looked for" is passive, indicating something was the object of a search. "Were searching for" is active, indicating someone was performing the search. For example, "The clues "were looked for" by the detectives" (passive) versus "The detectives "were searching for" clues" (active).