look to vs look for

Both 'look to' and 'look for' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Look to' is used when seeking guidance, support, or advice from someone or something. 'Look for' is used when searching for something or someone.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1062 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when seeking guidance, support, or advice from someone or something.

"look to "

Use 'look to' when you are seeking guidance, support, or advice from someone or something. It implies a sense of reliance or trust in the entity being looked to.

Examples:

She always looks to her mother for advice.
In times of trouble, he looks to his faith for strength.
The team looks to their captain for leadership.

Show examples from the web [+]

I ask you to look to the accused.
Man continues to look to the stars for certainty.
Necrosis doesn't look to be spreading.
Your surviving warriors may look to find a new lord.
Mankind had best look to itself.
At dawn... look to the East.
You don't need to look to know that.
My advice - look to your own people.
Memmio said that we should look to one of our own.
GWEN: Lois, look to your right.
I'll look to you to keep casualties down.
Already millions of people look to the swastika with hope.
OK, lads, look to your front.
You don't cross yourself nor look to the heavens.
Manufacturing sector doesn't look to be thriving here.
But I have to look to my husband.
Instead, let's look to the ecological model.
Or if I look to my sisters.
But we must look to our own borders.
Don't look to me for a hint.

Alternatives:

rely on
turn to
seek guidance from
trust in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when searching for something or someone.

"look for"

Use 'look for' when you are actively searching for something or someone. It indicates a physical or mental search for a specific object or person.

Examples:

I'm looking for my keys; have you seen them?
She is looking for a new job.
The police are looking for the suspect.

Show examples from the web [+]

I should probably look for grandpa.
They went to look for Nick and Cathy I imagine.
Millions struggle with thyroid disease and look for hypothyroidism treatment.
Otherwise, look for work elsewhere.
Humans always look for narrative and causality.
People look for connections in different ways.
Employers look for evidence of completed education in employment applications.
OK, all the qualities I look for in a prospective boyfriend.
I'm going to say behind and look for Hassan.
Go up there and look for the sword.
I ran outside to look for her.
Or look for some kind of balance.
You have to look for your ghosts someplace else.
Now look for the rusted pipe.
Please don't make me look for him.
We must look for a motive.
I'm advising you to not look for Dwight Dixon.
But you can look for his address in that box.
Okay, I'll go look for some clean sheets.
I sent the coast guard out there to look for him.

Alternatives:

search for
seek out
hunt for
try to find

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look to vs look for

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