Sign in
Look for, search, or find
Look for is the everyday word for trying to find something, search means checking a place carefully, and find is getting it.
Quick rule
Trying to find it? Look for. Checking a place thoroughly? Search. Got it? Find.
To try to find something by looking around. It is the everyday verb for the trying part.
To check a place or a person carefully for something. It is also what you do on the internet.
To get or discover something you were looking for, or by chance. It is the result, not the trying.
How to choose
| Question | look for | search | find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you already have it? It is the result. | No | No | Yes |
| Does it take the place right after it, with no preposition? | No | Yes | No |
| Is it the normal verb for saying you are looking for something? | Yes | SometimesSometimes | No |
Why it trips people up
Look for, search, and find sit at different points of the same story. Look for is trying to find something, search is checking a place carefully, and find is the moment you get it. Learners often use find for the trying part.
How each one works
Look for
Trying to find something
We looked for a parking spot for ten minutes.
Looking for a job
She is looking for a job in marketing.
Offering help to someone searching
Are you looking for the bathroom? It's down the hall.
Search
Checking something carefully
The guards searched every bag at the door.
Using a search engine
I searched for cheap flights on my phone.
A command to check well
Search the box again. The ring has to be there.
Find
Getting what you looked for
I found my keys under the couch.
Asking about the result
Did you find a good apartment?
Giving your opinion
I find English grammar easy.
What comes next
look for plus what you want
He looked for his phone in every pocket.
search plus the place or the person
Search your pockets before you leave.
search for plus what you want
They searched the garden for the missing cat.
find plus what you got
Where did you find that jacket?
find it plus adjective, to give an opinion
My grandmother finds it hard to climb stairs.
Set phrases
Look for
- look for trouble
- to act in a way that may start a fight
- look for work
- to try to get a job
Search
- search engine
- a program that finds pages on the internet
- search party
- a group of people who look for someone who is missing
Find
- lost and found
- a place that keeps things people lost
- find your way
- to get to a place without getting lost
Almost the same
I looked for my phone.
You tried; we don't know if you got it.
I searched my bag.
You checked the place carefully.
I found my phone.
You have it now.
The police searched the car.
They checked inside it.
The police looked for the car.
The car was what they could not find.
In a conversation
- A:
What are you doing?
- B:
I'm looking for my car keys. I put them down an hour ago.
- A:
Did you search your coat pockets?
- B:
Yes, twice. Nothing.
- A:
Try the car. I found my phone there last week.
- B:
Good idea. Thanks!
Common mistakes
Wrong: I searched my keys all morning.
Right: I searched for my keys all morning.
With search, the thing you want needs for. The object right after the verb is the place or person you check.
Wrong: I'm still finding my phone. It's somewhere in the house.
Right: I'm still looking for my phone. It's somewhere in the house.
Find names the result. While you are still trying, use look for.
Memory trick
Think of a treasure. Look for is heading out to find it. Search is checking the field inch by inch. Find is holding it in your hand.
It depends
- Online
- On the internet, people use both search for and look for: I searched for a recipe or I looked for a recipe online. Search is also the name of the button.
- Find as an opinion
- Find can also mean to think something is a certain way: I find it hard. It does not mean to look for something.
FAQ
Is it search for or search?
Use search for before the thing you want (search for a job) and search alone before the place (search the house).
What is the difference between look for and search for?
Look for is the everyday way to say you are trying to find something. Search for sounds more careful, and it is what you do with a search engine.
Is find the same as look for?
No. Look for is the attempt and find is the result. You can look for something for an hour and still not find it.