i searched but couldn't find it vs i searched but can't find it

Both phrases are correct, but 'I searched but couldn't find it' refers to a past action that was unsuccessful, and 'I searched but can't find it' refers to a current situation where the search is ongoing and the item has not been found yet.

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 27, 2025 • 5316 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express an unsuccessful search in the past.

"i searched but couldn't find it"

This phrase is used to talk about a search that was conducted in the past but did not yield the desired results.

Examples:

I searched the entire house but couldn't find my keys.
She searched for hours but couldn't find the missing document.

Show examples from the web [+]

Misava searched and searched but could find no trace of Letsatsi.
I searched high and low for my lighter but couldn't find it.
The money he hid... the funds for which you searched but could not find, sir... their journey to this city brought death with it... 55... man, woman, and child.
I searched high and low for my glasses but couldn't find them.
I've searched but I could not find her.
I searched every village, every cottage, but I couldn't find you.
I searched for her, but I couldn't find her.
I searched all day long but I couldn't find that woman who was haunting me.
Been meaning to read it, but couldn't find it anywhere.
I searched every inch of the prison to find any clue that might shed light on these communications, but I couldn't find a thing.
Noona, I looked everywhere, but couldn't find your heels.
Prosecutor Yoo Seok We investigated later but couldn't find Han Yoo Ra.
I circled the block a couple of times, but couldn't find her.
We actually wanted to bury his mom's remains here, but couldn't find a spot.
Dude... Couldn't find it.
If Skylar owned a computer, we couldn't find it.
Left the path, I couldn't find it again.
But later the police couldn't find it there.
- ...and you couldn't find it.
I couldn't find it upstairs.

Alternatives:

I looked everywhere but couldn't find it.
I tried to find it but couldn't.
I hunted for it but couldn't locate it.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express an ongoing search in the present.

"i searched but can't find it"

This phrase is used to talk about a search that is currently happening and the item has not been found yet.

Examples:

I searched the room but can't find my phone.
He searched the garden but can't find his keys.

Show examples from the web [+]

- We got a smaller one but can't find it.
We know there is a scouts are looking, but can't find it.
I searched the whole area around the government building but I can't find him.
I am in the very same situation... as when I'm looking for the solution to the plot of a film, but can't find it.
I searched all around - I can't find them.
I searched high and low for my lighter but couldn't find it.
I looked all over, but can't find it
You just woke up, but can't find your glasses.
I looked all around, but can't find one.
Crime scene investigators can't find it.
Crime scene investigators can't find it.
They move this RV around so folks like me can't find it.
Even when I look around, I can't find it.
I keep this here where they can't find it.
Five guineas says you can't find it.
I guess if the Coast Guard can't find it...
There's a bleed and we can't find it.
Even I can't find it.
I can't find it in any of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protocol directives.
Kubiak can't find it, either.

Alternatives:

I'm looking but can't find it.
I've been searching but can't locate it.
I've looked everywhere but can't find it.

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i searched but couldn't find it vs i searched but can't find it

"i searched but couldn't find it"

"i searched but can't find it"

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