while combing through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while combing through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of searching or examining something carefully, often in the context of reviewing information or materials. Example: "While combing through the documents, I found several discrepancies that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

After spending a while combing through the suggestions, I was pretty impressed.

TechCrunch

Kendra Stanton, a makeup artist and blogger (citizensofbeauty.com) based in Portland, Ore., found a teardrop-shaped, spongelike makeup applicator called Beautyblender while combing through posts on Bloom.com.

The New York Times

"I like dresses," she said while combing through the racks at The Children's Place on a recent Saturday, "but I don't want the long ones.

The New York Times

While combing through the Gucci archives recently, the creative director Frida Giannini came upon a print — a graphic repeat of tiny diamond shapes that predated the brand's iconic double G's.

The New York Times

Others spoke of rushing from a nearby construction site to assist with the rescue efforts; of deciding to enlist while combing through the rubble; and of watching quietly as the nation's leaders assessed the damage and plotted their response.

The New York Times

It was while combing through his archives last fall that Mr. Anthony, now a professional photographer who runs Circle M Studios in Mount Arlington, discovered what he called "a complete set of images, something that really told a story" about Allied.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While anyone combing through government press releases would undoubtedly be able to "find things" that did not conform, he said the intention was to use a "consistent style and understandable language".

BBC

While it's combing through the pitch-black waters, hovering about 150 feet above the seabed as it scans a half-mile-wide swath, the Bluefin-21 uses sonar to gather data that will yield a high-resolution, 3-D map of the seafloor.

Los Angeles Times

-- she recommends starting at the very base of the lash and combing through the lash while wiggling the brush back and forth.

Huffington Post

Wash your hair and comb and dry it afterwards, you could also try combing through with comb while conditioner is still in hair as well as combing it when finished.

WikiHow

Other corporate donations, while initially appearing opaque, were easier to trace back to the probable source after combing through corporate records.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while combing through" to describe a meticulous and thorough search, particularly when dealing with a large amount of information or items.

Common error

Avoid using "while combing through" in informal contexts. It's more appropriate for formal or semi-formal writing where a detailed search or examination is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while combing through" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a clause that indicates an action (combing through) happening simultaneously with another action. Ludwig AI validates its use in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while combing through" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing a detailed search or examination process. Ludwig AI confirms it is most appropriate for formal or semi-formal contexts, such as news reports, professional documents, and academic papers. While it is not suitable for casual conversation, understanding its usage can add precision to your writing when describing meticulous searching activities. Alternatives like "sifting through" or "searching through" can be used depending on the desired nuance and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as searching through

A general alternative, but less specific about the method of searching.

as sifting through

Replaces "combing" with "sifting", implying a less organized and more general search.

as going through

More casual and implies a less rigorous examination.

while examining in detail

More formal and emphasizes the thoroughness of the examination.

when investigating

Focuses on a more formal and structured search, usually for a specific purpose.

as sorting through

Suggests organizing items during the search, which isn't always implied by "combing".

while scrutinizing

Highlights a critical and detailed inspection.

when reviewing

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation.

during the inspection of

Formal and emphasizes the act of inspecting something.

in the process of analyzing

Emphasizes the analytical aspect of the search.

FAQs

What does "while combing through" mean?

The phrase "while combing through" means carefully searching or examining something, typically a large amount of information or a collection of items.

How can I use "while combing through" in a sentence?

You can use "while combing through" to describe a detailed search process. For example: "The detective found the clue "while combing through" the evidence."

What can I say instead of "while combing through"?

You can use alternatives like "as sifting through", "while examining in detail", or "as searching through depending on the context.

Is "while combing through" formal or informal?

The phrase "while combing through" is generally considered semi-formal to formal, suitable for professional writing and news reports rather than casual conversation.