woefully looking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "woefully looking for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of despair or frustration in the search for something, often implying that the search is unlikely to succeed. Example: "After months of searching for a job, I found myself woefully looking for any opportunity that would allow me to use my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The album begins with a rendition of Don Henley's "The Boys Of Summer" which tells the story of a lurking ex-boyfriend who is woefully looking for his lost love at the end of summer.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But a perfect match vs. one who is (woefully) "good enough?" How did we end up comparison shopping for romantic partners the way we wander from one auto dealership to the next, looking for the best trade-offs of features and price?

Forbes

But those parameters are based on a woefully old-fashioned and dull misunderstanding of what art historians do, and what they look for".

Vice

On the one hand, here were Welsh players he has worked with closely for several years looking woefully out of sorts and shorn of confidence.

BBC

Stuart wrote that "the 49ers looked woefully unprepared for this possibility".

The New York Times

Instead, our first impression is that his only protection in this hostile area is a crash helmet, a flight jacket, and thick pants held down by red duct tape, with a toolbox inexplicably taped to his bottom--in short, he looks woefully underdressed for the situation at hand.

Huffington Post

If it's the latter, the government looks woefully under-prepared for a fight.

The Guardian - Business

In this era of nimble networks, our dinosaur bureaucracies look woefully out of date for the causes we are meant to be championing.

The Guardian

Rangers looked woefully short of ideas for the majority of the first half and a Jenas header which looped straight into the arms of goalkeeper Jack Butland was the sum total of their efforts, until a minute before the break.

The Guardian - Sport

First, for somebody who has been groomed to take a leading role in politics for his entire life, Mr Gandhi still looks woefully ill-prepared.

The Economist

But the system for "fixing", in the unfortunate terminology, the price of gold looks woefully vulnerable to manipulation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "woefully looking for", consider the emotional tone you want to convey. This phrase is best suited for situations where the search is tinged with sadness, regret, or a sense of hopelessness.

Common error

Avoid using "woefully looking for" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral tone is appropriate. Opt for phrases like "seeking" or "searching for" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woefully looking for" functions as a descriptive verbal phrase. The adverb "woefully" modifies the verb "looking", adding an emotional layer signifying sadness or hopelessness. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing a desperate or regretful search.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "woefully looking for" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe a search tinged with sadness or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English, albeit infrequently. While its use is more common in news and media contexts, the adverb "woefully" adds an emotional weight that should be considered in formal writing. Alternatives such as "desperately seeking" or "tragically searching for" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately seeking

Emphasizes the urgency and desperation of the search.

tragically searching for

Highlights the sadness and potential misfortune associated with the search.

hopelessly searching for

Focuses on the lack of hope or expectation of finding what is being sought.

sadly seeking

Simple replacement highlighting the sadness.

unsuccessfully seeking

Highlights the lack of success in finding something.

dejectedly trying to find

Emphasizes the dejected mood during the process of finding.

mournfully seeking

Connects the seeking with grief or mourning.

gloomily searching for

Highlights the pessimistic and gloomy mood during search.

forlornly seeking

Emphasizes the desolation and loneliness of the search.

pessimistically seeking

Emphasizes the lack of hope and negative outlook while searching.

FAQs

What does "woefully looking for" mean?

The phrase "woefully looking for" describes a search characterized by sadness, despair, or a sense of hopelessness, often implying that the object of the search is lost or unattainable.

When is it appropriate to use "woefully looking for" in writing?

Use "woefully looking for" when you want to emphasize the emotional aspect of a search, particularly feelings of sadness, regret, or futility. It's suitable for conveying a sense of loss or disappointment.

What can I say instead of "woefully looking for"?

You can use alternatives like "desperately seeking", "tragically searching for", or "hopelessly searching for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "woefully looking for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "woefully looking for" is grammatically correct. It uses the adverb "woefully" to modify the verb phrase "looking for", creating a descriptive and emotionally charged expression.